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SF 489 
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wYamd<dttbs 

Silver, Qolden, Bkcl^ and Wyte. 




PRICE, FIFTY CENTS, 







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WYftNDOTTeS 



OF SUPERLATIVE MERIT. 
This has been ProTen in onr Largest Shows and under Strongest Competition. 



I am the Originator and Breeder of the World-Renowned 



^^utocrat Strain Light Brahmas. 



IMMENSE IN SIZE, ALMOST NON-SITTERS, AND GREAT LAYERS. 



ALSO HREED 



Barred and White Plymouth Rocks, Gold-Laced Sebright 

Bautams, Yellow Fantail and Russian 

Trumpeter Pigeons. 



EGGS from Wyandottes, Brahmas and Plymouth Rocks, $5.00 per setting; 
$10.00 for three settings. Send for catalogue giving latest scores and prices. 




A JANUARY MORNING \ 




ITH THE WYANDOTTES. 



Chromo Edition.— No. 2 of the Series of American Breeds. 

\ 



WYANDOTieS: 



^iLueR, GoLDeN, Bi-^CK ^t' WHiTe. 



Their Origin, History, Characteristics and Standard 

Points ; How to Mate, Jndge and Rear Them for 

Exhibition and Commercial Pnrposes ; with a 

Chapter on Their Diseases and Treatment. 



.Pl.i_tth.or of ":^a.3rre;ci and. AxT'h.ite; IE^lymou.tia PiLoctts," Stc;. 




^m'29m\n. 



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ALBANY, N. Y.: 

Ferris Publishing Company, 

i8qi. 



ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR EIGHTEEN HUNDRED 
AND NINETY-ONE, BY 

FERRIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, AT WASHINGTON, D. C. 



TAYLOR ..V ROBERTS, 

PRINTERS, 

4S1 BROADWAY, ALBANY, N. V. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The popular adage, that we " Cannot have too much of a good 
thing," is verified by the unprecedented popularity of the Wyandotte 
family, as it increases in numbers, influence and beauty. In offering 
this new work to the Wyandotte breeders of America, as a larger 
companion to our Plymouth Rock monograph, we make no apology 
for its appearance at the present time, as the title page of the latter 
bears the announcement of the coming of a series on " American 
Breeds." 

The Wyandotte family has outgrown the environment of small 
and early-written works. The monograph on " The Wyandotte 
Fowl," written by Mr. Felch and the writer, for the Ferris Publish- 
ing Company, seven years ago, fails now to satisfy the breeders and 
admirers of the Golden, Black and White varieties, because it treats 
only of the original laced breed. The addition of three important 
members to the family, necessitates a new and larger work and this 
has been produced in the one now presented to the Wyandotte 
breeders of the New and Old Worlds. 

We trust that the breeders and admirers of the four Wyandotte 
varieties, which are described singly and otherwise fully treated of, 
considering the limited space at our command, will largely profit by 
the perusal and study of this work. Although this book is gotten up 
in the popular and pleasing style of the Plymouth Rock work, it is 
more than one-third larger and the subjects are more varied, more 
thoroughly discussed and more comprehensive. It is nexv and fresh 
from beginning to end, and one variety does not suffer at the 
expense of another. 



4 Introduction. 

Being free from personal bias; having no pecuniary interest in 
one variety more than another; no alliance with cliques or parties 
holding controlling interest in the new varieties; we flatter ourselves 
that the honesty and truthfulness of our purpose and efforts, in this 
Work, to do justice to all, is apparent to every reader, whether he 
admires or breeds the laced or self-colored varieties. 

We ask no favors from one class of breeders more than another; 
our duty rests on justice and good will to all, and this should be a 
"shining mark" to popularize the work, which we have the honor 
and pleasure to dedicate to the Wyandotte Breeders of America, 
in token of our regard and esteem. 

JOSEPH WALLACE. 

Janesville, Wis., April, 1891. 



PART FIRST. 



Silver Wyandottes. 



ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 

Much praise is due the fancier who improves and beautifies his 
flock, and much more is due the one who originates and gives to the 
world the creation of his skill and the result of his labors. It is to 
be regretted that we cannot render the originator of Silver Wyan- 
dottes any testimony of praise and esteem, as his name is unknown 
to the poultry fraternity, and the grave refuses to disclose the 
identity of our great benefactor, who has left behind him the first 
fruits of his efforts, to be worked over by willing and loving hands, 
and, in the end, by judicious crossing and combining dififereat 
elements together, evolving one of the most useful breeds known to 
poultrymen. 

The Silver Wyandotte is the result of composite crosses, vary- 
ing widely in plumage and general characteristics. It has more 
elements of separate crosses than are found in other standard breeds; 
It combines the useful and comely qualities of its predecessors; its 
size, type, unique plumage, flesh and egg producing merits, meet 
the desires and approval of its fanciers and admirers, and it 
promises to eclipse other leading breeds in popular estimation. 

Much of the early history of the Silver Wyandotte is shrouded 
in mystery. Mr. I. K. Felch has contributed some early records of 
the breed to the poultry press, which go back twenty years or more. 
A Mr. John P. Ray, of Hemlock Lake, N. Y., was breeding Sebright 
Cochins with rose combs, between the years 1868-71. His fowl, as 
Mr. Ray expressed it, was from Sebright Bantam and "Yellow 
Chi'.agong.'' It seems that two other persons had been breeding 
the same, or nearly the same kind of fowl, as the following cor- 
respondence shows: 



6 Wyandottes. 

Hemlock Lake, N. Y., Atigust 7, 1871. 

DearSir — I was at Lima last week and saw some Sebright cliickens that were 
hatched from eggs obtained from you. 

I have a nice lot of the same breed, and wish to get two cocks to cross with my 
hens, as mine are all related. If you can spare those that are well marked, with 
double or rose combs, that will make good size cocks, you may send them to me. I 
am particular about the comb, as mine are rose combs and I do not wish to breed 
them single. Write me if you have them to spare and at what price. 

Yours truly. 
Rev. Mr. Baker. John P. Ray. 

Endorsed on the back of this letter is the Rev. Mr. Baker's reply. 

J. P. Ray: Honeoye Falls, August 2?), 1871. 

Dear Sir — I have no fowls to sell. I think you could get two cocks of Rev. 
Mr. Benson if you would apply soon. Mr. Benson would probably want %i each. 

A. S. Baker. 

Evidently single and rose combs appeared in the early Sebright 
Cochins, as the single comb has done in some broods since the 
Silver Wyandotte was admitted to the Standard. This feature 
appeared in two separate broods, which we reared seven years ago, 
and the eggs were purchased from two breeders in the state of New 
York. The birds with single combs were much lighter in plumage, 
and the lacing showed a very close resemblance to that of the Silver 
Spangled Hamburg. 

Thus we see that Messrs. Ray, Baker and Benson were in 
possession of the foundation material of the Silver Wyandotte in 
1871. The following year a cut of one of Mr. Ray's birds appeared 
in the Rural Home. The same and following year he sold some of 
his stock to Messrs. McMillan, Dudley, Whittaker and Hull. The 
subsequent cross on this foundation blood was a Silver Spangled 
Hamburg and Dark Brahma. No pea comb appeared until after 
this cross of 1876. 

After the Sebright Cochins had been bred some years by several 
breeders in New York, Michigan and probably in other states, Mr. 
Payne, of Binghamton, N. Y., advertised his fowls in the Poultry 
World in 1874-75. In 1876 this breed was presented to the 
American Poultry Association, at Buffalo, for admission to the 
Standard under the name American Sebrights. This type was 
from a cross of the Silver Spangled Hamburg and Buff Cochin. 
It was conceded that this fowl was much superior in type, beauty 
and usefulness to the Sebright Cochins, while other parties had 
been at work to obviate the faults of the latter, as the lacing was too 
light and too indistinct to merit being called laced. Single combs 



Silver Wyandottes — History. 7 

appeared with rose combs, feathered with smooth legs, bhiish white 
with red earlobes, and blue with yellow legs. It is said that a black 
fowl of the Breda breed was introduced in the crossing to enrich and 
give permanency to the lacing, and the two productions being 
crossed, formed the American Sebrights. 

On the presentation of the American Sebrights, the American 
Poultry Association acknowledged the promising merits of the new 
breed, but objected to the name on the ground that it was suggestive 
of Bantam. They knew, too, that several types of the new breed 
were being cultivated, and that the admirers of each were desirous 
of giving new names. A new cross of Silver Spangled Hamburg 
and Dark Brahma now appeared, and it was much in advance of 
the other crosses in type and desirable qualities, although it possessed 
a pea comb. One party earnestly advocated single combs. Mr. 
Whittaker was in favor of rose combs, and Mr. Kidder strongly 
pressed the advantages of a pea comb. The petition was so far 
considered that Mr. Payne was appointed chairman of the committee 
to settle on a name and standard for the breed; but the committee 
failed to make a report and the American Sebright had to wait till 
1883. 

Happily the delay prompted improvement, and the product of 
the Hamburg and Dark Brahma, with the best of the other crosses, 
evolved a more pleasing plumage and type, which appeared under 
the name, Eureka. The combination of the two original crosses, 
with the last named, formed a desirable breed; and from that time 
on they grew in popularity and their sales became really marvelous, 
though advertised as American Sebrights, Excelsiors, Eurekas, Am- 
brights, Columbias, etc. In order to harmonize and settle on a name, 
Mr. I. K. Felch suggested the name Hambletonian and prepared a 
standard, which was the basis of the one made for the breed at 
Worcester, Mass., in 1883, when it was admitted under the name, 
Wyandotte. 

Mr. Fred. A. Houdlette, of Waltham, Mass, an enthusiastic fan- 
cier and admirer of the new breed, suggested the name Wyandotte, 
after a tribe of Indians, but possibly out of some inspiring recollec- 
tion of his father's ship, which was named " Wyandotte." However, 
the name was a surprise, and the pill which the fanciers of the 
country had to swallow was somewhat disagreeable, though per- 
plexed and confused by the number of names attached to the breed. 

Doubtless, much of the enthusiasm and excitement over the 
Silver VVvandotte was due to the little booms which the fanciers of 



8 Wyando'ites. 

the different crosses tried to establish on the appearance of their 
favorites. Another factor of their popularity, which has escaped 
public attention, is the trouble and perplexing disappointments 
which followed the breeding of Plymouth Rocks to uniformity of 
color and matching in the show pen. The Wyandotte was hailed 
as a relief by those who had not been very successful with the other 
breed; the plumage of the Wyandotte being unique, their size, lay- 
ing and table qualities being much in their favor, they soon shared 
a measure of the popularity lavished on the Plymouth Rocks. 

The Wyandotte met a hearty welcome in every stage of its 
transition. American fanciers began to take an interest in new 
breeds of American origin. The Plymouth Rock was a grand suc- 
cess, although its color is much against it as an ornamental or fancy 
breed; the Wyandotte, on the contrary, showed promise of becoming 
a handsome fowl, when the skill of the fancier had brought it up to 
standard requirements. Hundreds engaged in the breeding of 
Wyandottes before the breed was admitted to Standard honors; and 
so enthusiastic were the admirers of this noble breed that Messrs. 
Arnold and Houdlette published a standard for the breed in advance 
of the American Poultry Association. 

The favorable qualities of the Silver Wyandotte have come 
through judicious crossing and improvement of each cross. After 
the first experimental cross, there was no haphazard crossing after- 
wards. The Asiatic, with its large frame, robust constitution and 
quiet nature, transmitted these desirable merits to modify the 
nervousness, sprightliness and non-sitting trait of the Silver Spangled 
Hamburg. On the other hand, the Hamburg has transmitted a 
share of its precocity and prolificacy, besides exterior points. The 
original crosses served to modify the Asiatic characteristics, and 
these, combined with the Hamburg-Brahma cross, established the 
"happy medium" now characteristic of the Wyandotte. 

The original combination would probably create a very good 
breed in time, if left to itself and the skill of fanciers; but being 
reinforced with fresh material of a better quality, the modification 
and improvement became more marked, and the objectionable points 
of each being largely bred out, all harmonized in one grand whole. 
It is almost certain that the originator had a laced breed in mind, 
and that the lacing of the Sebright Bantam was the ideal in view, 
excepting the tail and hackles, which were to be black and black 
laced with white. However magnificent the ideal, few birds have 
appeared in late years that could be called Sebright laced. 



Silver Wyandottes — History. 9 

Some writers think that a Silver Polish fowl was a likely 
element in some of the crosses, but there is not the slightest founda- 
tion for this opinion, because some of the points of the various 
breeds in the combination have appeared at one time or another, 
but no crested chick, none with bifurcated comb, none with cavernous 
nostrils, and these could not be wholly bred out in so short a time. 
If some advanced fanciers look on the Silver Polish hen as the ideal 
for the Wyandotte hen, in lacing, that is no sign Silver Polish had 
anything to do with the plumage of the Wyandotte. Seeing so few 
hens of Sebright lacing, that of the Silver Polish can be more readily 
attained by adding a solid black tail and a Dark Brahma hackle. 

It is useless to dwell on the object of the originator of Sebright 
Cochins. We hardly think he had a variety of Cochins in view, by 
using a Bantam, and it is doubtful that he sought to make a Cochin 
Bantam, because he ceased further reduction of size. In all proba- 
bility a medium-sized fowl was the ultimate object, but the white 
ground color and black lacing of the Sebright were wanting; the 
whole plumage presented a yellowish cast, being rather a mass of 
lacing, penciling and mossing; too light in both sexes to be attractive 
and pleasing. 

At this crisis in the breed, it was deemed advisable to fix a pre- 
ponderance of black without changing other features, in order to 
make the lacing distinct. The black fowl of Breda blood, mentioned 
by Mr. Felch, offered a very suitable cross on account of its flesh 
qualities and unique comb, but the addition of the Brahma cross 
left the breed in a condition which would favor either the lightness 
of the Hamburg plumage or that of a dark plumage with white 
centers, as the partiality of fanciers should dictate. Breeders found 
much penciling and mossing in place of clear and distinct lacing in 
the light-plumaged birds. Mr. Felch always advised to make black 
the preponderant color, as the tendency of the breed was to light 
plumage, and we frequently advised the same thing. 

When we take a retrospective view of the Wyandotte, we are 
surprised at the unprecedented boom it had, both before and after 
its being admitted to the Standard. No breed up to that time had 
ever been in such demand; perhaps no breed will ever enjoy such a 
boom. But, with its popularity was created a greed for gain; 
wretched specimens were put on the market, together with every 
speckled fowl having a rose comb, which rapidly lessened their 
popularity. A few far-seeing fanciers held on to their stock and 
denounced jobbers and unscrupulous breeders for putting on the 



lO Wyandottes. 

market such fowl; advised cooperation in breeding liigh-class stand- 
ard birds and exposing frauds. This, together with the confidence 
of their admirers, won back their former popularity, and now it is 
universally conceded that it rests on a foundation as permanent as 
the everlasting hills. 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

The value of Wyandottes rests not alone on their comely 
appearance, good size and excellent flesh qualities, but also on their 
fairly good laying merits and quiet disposition. By common con- 
sent, they are called handsome; both male and female claim their 
respective shares; still, the peculiarity of their lacing and penciling 
will admit of greater improvement and perfection in all points. 
They are scored too high at present by all judges, perhaps owing to 
the reason that there is no ideal standard in their minds to which 
the specimens should approach. There is much of the surface of 
the body, thighs and rear part of the hen's back that needs improve- 
ment to correspond with the head, neck and breast. 

There is no question regarding their usefulness, as that is con- 
ceded by all breeders who have given them proper attention and 
compared their merits with other breeds. Indeed, there are some 
well meaning fanciers who make extravagant assertions of their 
superiority over all other breeds. Such statements must be taken 
with many grains of allowance, as they are not equal to the Dorking, 
Houdan and Game in quantity and quality of breast meat, and not 
equal to the Leghorn, Minorca, Hamburg and Red Cap in egg pro- 
duction; but when we make a comparison with either of the breeds 
named, on the basis of general usefulness, that is, an all-round, 
general-purpose fowl, fulfilling the desires of the farmer, cottager 
and fancier, the Wyandotte is to be preferred. 

There are many reasons why the Wyandotte is so popular in 
this country and Great Britain, though possessing scores of good 
breeds. In the first place, the lacing is unique; the size and weight 
is the most desirable for market; the carcass has not the grossness, 
coarseness of flesh and heavy bone frame of the Asiatic, nor the 
light and spare body of the small varieties. The color of the flesh 
is much in their favor, as the majority of our fowl consumers prefer 
yellow skin to pale color, as it suggests richness of meat. Whether 
this notion of color in the flesh of breeds adds to its real value or 
not, we will not discuss; so long as people hold that notion, any- 
thing contrary to it might not change or benefit any one. If the 



Silver Wyandottes — Characteristics. ii 

eye is satisfied in color of flesh, it is very likely that the palate will 
share some of its satisfaction. However, the flesh of the Wyandotte 
is generally praised for its flavor and sweetness. Of course, it has 
not been tested so thoroughly by judges as that of the Dorking, 
Houdan, Langshan and Game; but all fanciers of the breed accord 
in pronouncing it a splendid table fowl. 

Egg production is a very valuable quality in Wyandottes. To 
be sure, every experienced breeder knows that no breed of fowls 
possesses all desirable qualities. A breed may be handsome in 
plumage, faultless in type and carriage, and an excellent layer; but, 
if we desire to unite splendid table qualities, kind disposition, domestic 
habits and other merits, to the other qualities, some of the former 
would have to be sacrificed. We can get, and we have got, all these 
in some breeds, but they are not highly developed; they are medi- 
ocre, and they do not excel only in one or, at most, two special 
qualities. There is no question but what Leghorns, Hamburgs 
and Polish, properly cooked, are good enough for a royal feast, yet 
they are not the equal of the Dorking in point of table merits. We 
are speaking of prime merits here ; fowls are not excepted from the 
general laws governing animated nature, as all living things may 
possess some high or transcendent quality individually, but none 
possess all in a high degree. 

The Wyandotte, although not excelling in any special quality, 
is the happy possessor of an even and well-balanced organism, which 
makes it preferable to the majority of breeders over breeds excelling 
in some points and deficient in others. It is the equalization of 
useful qualities in the Wyandotte which makes it so popular ; there 
is no excess of one quality at the expense of the other ; a " happy 
medium " is established, and that goes to guarantee a higher improve- 
ment in all, with time and skill. None of our standard breeds has so 
many different elements in its make-up, and to these may be attrib- 
uted the medium qualities which the whole family possess, as there 
is a check on any characteristic exceeding due bounds, so to say, by 
opposite characteristics of one or more of the composite stock. 

The type and plumage of the Silver Wyandotte are much in 
their favor. The type approaches that of the Dark Brahma in a 
modified way. This, we believe, was the one most in favor by the 
leading breeders and judges, as it would not be judicious to trench 
on that of the Plymouth Rock or Java. Type is an accepted index 
of distinction in breeds. Originally, it was a short step between 
the Brahma and Cochin, the Plymouth Rock and the Java, but the 



12 Wyandottes. 

object of breeders is to give each breed a distinctive type. One can 
see in the Wyandotte the bold, erect form of the Brahma, especially 
in the male ; the high rump and tail, the full neck, the face, the fluff 
and heavy stern; also the shank, although featherless, is the limb of 
the Brahma, as also is the beak — indeed, the general structure is that 
of the Brahma, with just such modifications as the Hamburg cross 
would give. 

The primary object with this breed, as stated before, is to obtain 
a well-made, compact and blocky bodied, clean-legged fowl, of as 
large a size as is considered suitable, clad in the garb of the Silver 
Sebright; that is, as near as can be obtained in most features except 
tail, which is black, or should be so ; but a great many cock birds 
have their primary sickles edged with white, and the edged sickles 
are invariably accompanied with clear markings on rump, as opposed 
to sooty or rusty saddle and entirely black sickles. 

The comb, being a low rose, admirably fitted for our cold winters, 
is a valuable feature in the breed. In good specimens, it is narrow, 
and partaking of the curve of head. It is hard to get a good comb, 
and considerable deviation is seen in a lot of cockerels — in one you 
can see a shapeless, wide comb, in others the Hamburg spike and 
more coroneted comb ; but the narrow and close-fitting comb, curved 
with shape of head, is the desired object. 

As sitters and mothers, the Wyandotte hens will perform their 
duties faithfully. They are steady sitters, and very few will desert 
their nests after the work of incubation begins. They are not quite 
as industrious foragers and scratchers as the Game and common 
hens, but, otherwise, they are kind mothers They are not so rest- 
less and nervous as the small hens, and, having a strong dash of 
Asiatic blood, they do not lead the young far away, nor exert them- 
selves in diligent search for food. There is a quiet and contented 
feeling in their nature, which insures confidence in the young, though 
they may be from a restless and shy breed. This is of small import, 
as the majority of fanciers now coop the mother hens. 

The Wyandotte is unquestionably a splendid breed and holds 
first rank among American fowls. It is a breed that commends 
itself in various ways, utility and beauty being two of its chief recom- 
mendations — two good qualities in combination; essential properties 
which no real fancier is disposed to ignore, nor which, indeed, in the 
interests and progress of poultry culture, should be overlooked or 
underrated. 



Silver Wvandottes — Description. 13 

DESCRIPTION. 
The Male. 

Head. — This section is independent of comb, ear-lobes and 
wattles. It is the part which embraces beak, arch and crown; 
these give a definite shape to the head. The configuration is de- 
cidedly Cochinish, with just such modification as to relieve it of the 
heavy eyebrows of the Cochin; but still it shows a beetling brow, 
which is also noticeable in the female. 

Beak. — This does not differ from Asiatics or Plymouth Rocks 
in form. It is yellow, with a heavy stripe of dark horn color 
shading the upper mandible, the yellow showing on the point and 
lower edges. 

Face. — This is a deep red color, rather than bright. The 
eyes are bay; ear-lobes red, well developed and folding where 
they curve; comb is bright red, rose in form, being low and flat, 
somewhat narrower at the base than top, with less prominence of 
spike than that of the Hamburg — the comb following the curve of 
crown to back of head, and the surface evenly corrugated; wattles 
are bright red, medium size, and hang below a line with ear-lobes; 
plumage is smooth, short and silvery-white in color. 

Neck. — This is short, well arched, and abundantly supplied 
with hackle; the plumage of hackle is silvery-white, heavily striped 
with black down the center of each feather, and tapering to a point 
at the extremity. A good Dark Brahma hackle is the ideal to attain. 
The silver edging should be free from smut or black lacing — a com- 
mon, and, I might say, a general fault, is the outer edge of the lac- 
ing near the point being penciled with black. 

Back. — This should be short and broad, and appear flat across 
the shoulders; the plumage is silvery-white on surface, and should 
be free from brown; under-color is slate, but the webs are frequently 
tinged with straw-color, and difficult to breed out; saddle is full and 
broad, and preserves a concave sweep from back to tail; plumage 
is silvery-white, with a black stripe running through the center of 
the feathers, same as in hackle. 

Breast, — This should be deep and round; under-color of 
plumage slate, web of feathers black with medium-sized white 
centers, which taper to a point near the extremity, the white in- 
creasing in size with the prominence of breast. 

Body. — This should be short and deep and suggestive of being 
blocky in appearance; the under-color of plumage is slate, and the 



14 



Wyandottes. 



web of feathers black, or black slightly frosted with white; fluff 
full at the sides and posterior, which gives the bird a heavy appear- 
ance; plumage is dark slate, powdered with gray. 

Wings. — This section should be medium in size; the primaries 
black, with outer web edged with white; secondaries black, with 
outer half of lower web white; wing coverts, upper web black, lower 
web with a narrow black stripe along the edge, which widens toward 
the tip and forms a double bar across the wing; wing-bows are sil- 
very-white, and the shoulder coverts have slate under-color and the 
web white. 

Tail. — This is full, medium length, well spread at the base and 
well filled in with black, curling feathers; sickles are of medium 
length, nicely curved and glossy black in color; tail coverts are 
glossy black, and the lesser coverts are black, or black with an edg- 
ing of white, following the color of saddle. 

Legs. — These should be medium short, stout and well set 
apart; the thighs covered with soft feathers, color black or black 
powdered with gray; shanks rather short and stout, free from feath- 
ers, and in color bright yellow; toes straight and well spread, and 
same color as shanks. 

Standard Weight. — Cocks eight and a half pounds, cockerels 
seven and a half pounds. 

The Female. 

Head. — The configuration of head is the same as that of the 
male, but smaller, and the heavy brow is more modified. 

Beak. — This is in form, color and shade same as in the male. 

Face. — This is a deep red color; the eyes are bay; ear-lobes 
red, well developed and folding where they curve; comb is bright 
red, rose in form, being low and flat, smaller than that of the male, 
and following the curve of crown and back of neck, the surface 
evenly corrugated; wattles are bright red, medium size and hang 
below a line with earlobes; plumage is silver-gray. 

Neck. — This is short, well arched and abundantly supplied 
with hackle feathers; the plumage is silvery-white, with a black 
stripe through the center of each feather, and tapering to a point 
at the extremity. 

Back. — This should be broad and short and appear flat at the 
shoulders, and slightly cushioned; the plumage has small white 
centers, and free from outside white lacing; under-color dark slate, 
and web black. 



Silver Wyandottes — Remarks. 15 

Breast. — This should be full and round; under-color slate, 
web of feather white, and each feather distinctly and evenly laced 
with black, the white increasing in size with the prominence of 
breast. 

Body. — This is short, deep and round at the sides; the under- 
color is slate, web of feather black, with a narrow white center 
running into black, or black frosted with white, along the thighs. 
The body is too short; a longer one would indicate greater value in 
the line of egg-production. The fluff is full, and gives a heavy 
appearance to the posterior; color of plumage is dark slate, pow- 
dered with gray. 

Wings. — These are medium size; the primaries are black, with 
lower web edged with white; secondaries black, with the outer half 
of the lower web white; wing and shoulder coverts are dark slate in 
under-color, the web white and heavily laced with black, the black 
lacing growing wider over the wing-bow. 

Tail. — This is full and well spread at base; the color is black; 
the greater coverts black; lesser coverts black, or black with white 
centers, though usually slightly penciled with white. 

Legs. — These should be medium short, stout and well set 
apart, the thighs covered with soft feathers, color black or black 
powdered with gray; shanks rather short and stout, free from feath- 
ers, and in color bright yellow; toes straight and well spread, and 
same color as shanks. 

Standard Weight. — Hens six and a half pounds, pullets five 
and a half pounds. 

Remarks. 

We have adhered quite closely to Standard description in the 
above, without using the same words, and, for all practical purposes, 
it will aid the novice in committing to memory the standard re- 
quireirients of the breed under consideration, until such time as he 
finds it necessary to mate, judge and prepare birds for exhibition and 
sale, when a " Standard of Perfection " will be indispensible, so as 
to have an authoritative work to guide him, not only in the culture 
of Silver Wyandottes, but also in all other recognized breeds. 

One cannot, however, glean from the Standard an ideal of the 
breed it describes. The facial appendages, color and marking of 
plumage, legs, and, in fact, all points, are described quite minutely, 
but the type of the breed no words can express sufficiently clear to 
give a correct ideal. This is especially true of the Silver Wyandottes. 



1 6 Wyandottes. 

The white variety, however, is in better luck, since the White Wyan- 
dotte Club has accepted old "Silver King" as the type for White 
Wyandottes, as this bird was pronounced by judges and breeders as 
the best representative of the race which has ever come before the 
people. 

The Silver Wyandotte was given its present type because it 
did not trench on that of the Plymouth Rock, Java, Dorking or 
other middle-sized breeds. The combination of Hamburgs and 
Dark Brahmas brought out its present type very nearly, and this 
was considered the best from the early crosses. It is, therefore, a 
modification of the American Dark Brahma type, with such toning 
as we might expect from the Hamburg. The Standard is pretty 
clear in most everything else, but the shape it cannot describe with 
sufficient clearness to enable one to form a correct idea, or the 
judge who depends solely on it. Judges may say, standard-makers 
may say, the Silver should approach the Dark Brahma in shape. 
This is not very clear, as some Dark Brahmas partake of a shape 
between the Cochin and the Light Brahma, particularly English- 
bred birds. The Silver Wyandotte male, in type and carriage, more 
closely resembles the Brahma, but, of course, of a decidedly refined 
nature, being sleeker and smarter, with a more clean-cut makeup; 
the female, however, does not closely resemble the Dark Brahma 
hen, and, therefore, there is no true ideal to breed to. 

There is much improvement going on with regard to shape and 
size of comb. Some English, as well as American, fanciers, have 
urged the adoption of the Hamburg comb; but such a comb would 
be unsuitable for a large breed, and for one with a small and flat 
skull. The form of comb now seen on first-class specimens, and as 
delineated in our chromo illustration, is fairly good, if breeders will 
avoid breeding wide combs, which spread over the skull. We are 
no more justified in breeding a Hamburg comb than a pea comb, 
and it is better, for many reasons, that the breed should not follow 
either, but add enough of the Hamburg to the pea comb to make a 
neat, low rose, with a gentle curve from the nostrils to the back 
of head. 

The novice will notice, when reading the Standard, the frequent 
use of the word " medium," in describing length, width and size. This 
is to be understood as meaning "mean" or middle state — between 
large and small, long and shoit. When understood, its use does 
away with much verbosity, and that is the only point in its favor. 
Although the Standard fairly well describes the Silver Wyandotte, 



Silver Wyandottes — Mating. 17 

still, there is some ambiguity in the description of white centers and 
extent of lacing on different parts of the plumage. One cannot 
judge correctly by the cuts which appear in poultry publications, as 
the plumage is made darker than it really is in the living specimen. 
There are some other questions which we will take up in the 
chapter on Mating and Judging, as we have transcended our limit 
in these remarks. The Standard, before the last revision, allowed 
breeders to sell birds with penciled feathers, and, while the same 
thing is being done nowadays, the Standard is clear on this point; 
we must have a black-and-white laced breed, with colors evenly 
divided, and no penciling. 

Standard Disqualifications. 

Any feathers on shanks or toes; permanent white or yellow in 
the ear-lobes, covering more than one-third of their surface; combs 
other than rose, or falling over to one side, or so large as to obstruct 
the sight; decidedly wry tails; deformed beaks; crooked backs; 
shanks other than yellow in color, except in hens, which may shade 
to light straw color; solid white breasts. 

Scale of Points for Wyandottes. 

Symmetry 8 

Weight 6 

Condition 6 

Head — Shape 3, Color 3 6 

Comb 8 

Wattles and Ear-lobes 6 

Neck — Shape 4, Color 6 10 

Back — Shape 4, color 4 8 

Breast — Shape 5, Color 5 10 

Body and Fluff — Shape 5, Color 3 8 

Wings — Shape 4, Color 4 8 

Tail— Shape, 4, Color 4 8 

Legs and Toes 8 

100 
MATING SILA^ER WYANDOTTES. 

Mating fowls of any breed is the most important part of poul- 
try culture. This cannot be questioned, and it should be remem- 
bered by every person keeping fowls. A good cock or cockerel to 
head a pen is valuable. On his vitality, virility, natural force and 



1 8 Wyandottes. 

power of stamping his good qualities on his offspring, depends his 
value. The prime breeding male will not only show a well balanced 
organism, which will make him handsome, with a full development 
of physical qualities, but he will also be combative, ambitious of 
mastery, attentive to his harem, quick, amorous, and in good condi- 
tion of health and plumage; the last is indicated by his bright and 
fearless eye, rich red comb and wattles, sleek and glossy plumage, 
and sprightly movements. 

A male with stilted legs will not make a good breeder, nor the 
one with hock joints pressing inward or backward, nor the one with 
joints lacking firmness, nor the one with legs close together, or 
crooked, nor the one with slim thighs, as they denote an uneven 
formation of structure — an imperfect balancement of limbs. Avoid 
a bird with narrow breast and back, for such a male lacks muscle, 
and has not sufficient room for development and healthy action of 
the vital organs; avoid the one with slow motion and of cowardly 
nature; one with loose plumage, scant hackle, saddle and tail, and 
the one that is too large, too fat and too clumsy, as it will fail in 
sexual duties. 

This IS no guess work, but is based on experience and study of 
the laws of breeding. A clumsy or over-fat male is not to be 
depended on. Obesity is ever antagonistic to fertility, as it really 
impairs the functions which inclose and transmit the vital spark of 
procreation. The greater number of the large-sized breeds, fattened 
to reach standard wei ghts, are not in proper condition for breed- 
ing while retaining superfluous fat. This is one of the chief causes 
of complaint about non-hatching eggs. The male or female should 
be in fairly good condition of flesh, without being fat. The best 
breeders are those under standard weights; the male or female that 
will reach within a pound or so of standard requirement, without 
extra feeding, is far preferable for breeding to one forced to stand- 
ard weight by special feeding. 

As a rule a good breeding male will be a frequent and vigorous 
crower; will talk with his mates a good deal; will lead them into the 
by-ways and "pastures new;" stopping at times to perform a 
pirouette, with the wing lowered, and making a rasping noise against 
his leg. He will stand at the head of his flock, always exercising 
proper activity and vigilance. Such a male is competent to mate 
with six or eight hens. Chickens from such a mating will be apt to 
take after their sire; and fortunate for the breeder, if he has de- 
scended from a long line of good layers. 



Silver Wyandottes — Mating. 19 

Another important point to bear in mind is the evil of continued 
in-and-in breeding. The majority of old fanciers know its bad effects, 
and seldom venture too far. On this point, all practical stock breed- 
ers, as well as the medical faculty, agree, that the ultimate tendency of 
breeding in-and-in is highly injurious; that when carried to excess 
it will always result in a loss of constitutional vigor and hardiness 
in the offspring, if not to the verge of sterility and impotency; that 
while its tendency may be in the direction of fineness of texture, 
lightness of bone, smoothness of plumage and limbs, neatness and 
uniformity of parts, it is invariably at the expense of stamina, robust- 
ness, strength and prepotent power. These things do not occur to 
the novice when he embarks in poultry culture; perhaps he does 
not give it a thought. He may be willing to abide by the apparent 
improvement which in-breeding stamps upon its issue, but he may 
not take into consideration that that improvement is wisely " im- 
proving his stock off the face of the earth," to make room for a 
more vigorous and hardier race. 

Breeders are prone to place too much reliance on the male, and 
apt to overlook or entirely ignore requisite qualities in the female. 
It puzzles us to know by what art or course of breeding, either in 
oviparous or mammiferous animals, the male is so vastly superior to 
the female, in its part of stamping high and desirable merits. Sci- 
ence will refuse its assent to this unphilosophic hypothesis. Every 
day we hear some writer exclaim, " The cock is half the pen." He 
believes it; he has a right to his opinion; he formed it while breed- 
ing fowls, or has accepted it as gospel truth, because somebody 
else had said it, in whose judgment he places great reliance. 

Our study of the laws of breeding leads us to the conclusion that 
the female contributes more elements of organism and internal 
structure than the male. The male gives the '* spark of life " to the 
inert procreated mass; that is, its potency, spirit, life and complex- 
ion; the latter only when he is more potent in this quality, which 
is usually noticed in crosses; stamping his own color, complexion 
and leading characteristics with a hen of his breed is no sign of 
potency, because the hen would have given the color and features, 
and leading characteristics, to the male progeny, with another male 
of the same strain or variety, though perhaps in a less marked 
degree. If the cock is half the pen, then, there would be no neces- 
sity to select females with color, penciling, lacing, or facial append- 
ages to modify or intensify points in the male, as is done in every 
carefully made pen, as he would stamp all individual points regard- 



20 Wyandottes. 

less of the controlling influence of the females. The male does no 
such thing, and it cannot be reasonably expected of him, as a higher 
power has decreed that the male and female, of all organic things, 
shall unite and share in producing an offspring like unto themselves 
or a controlling ancestor. 

Far be it from us to underrate the value of a male bird in the 
pen, but we cannot accept and indorse the current opinion among 
fanciers, that all or nearly all of the high and distinguishing qualities 
of the offspring are due to the male. We have already transcended 
the limit of space intended for the subject of mating, but as the 
whole season's success or failure depends on the breeding pen, the 
suggestions may be beneficial to breeders, if they will bear them in 
mind and scrupulously observe them when making up their breed- 
ing pens. The suggestions offered here will apply to all other Wyan- 
dotte varieties, and save us making special remarks on the breeding 
fowls; color being the only exception. In fact, our remarks will also 
apply to every standard or non-standard variety. 

Special Mating. — The breeder should bear in mind that Silver 
and Golden Wyandottes lose color by age and breeding, if no selec- 
tion be made annually. The Silvers have shown a tendency to light- 
ness of plumage from the beginning; so the amateur fancier is fore- 
warned in time. Pullets nicely marked will, in the second or third 
year, moult lighter, and there is no other way of securing color in 
the breed than by mating either male or female a little darker in 
plumage than is described in the Standard. 

The novice may be puzzled to account for this mode of mating 
and ask, "Why not mate standard birds together for the production 
of a standard offspring?" The breed has not been bred long 
enough to establish a line of standard birds for breeding; and being 
made up of crosses, each color struggling for mastery or controlling 
influence, special matings will have to be followed in the majority 
of cases, and two breeding pens, for the production of cockerels and 
pullets, have already been adopted by some fanciers. 

If one could secure standard birds, one pen mating would suf- 
fice. Some years ago Plymouth Rock breeders were troubled in 
the same way, and many had recourse to two pens to produce 
standard cockerels and pullets. The novice must not be led by the 
cuts which he sees in poultry journals, to think that the plumage is as 
dark in the living specimens as it is represented in the illustrations. 

The proper rule to follow in breeding Silver and Golden Wyan- 
dottes, is to establish a line of standard breeders as soon as possible 



Silver Wyandottes — Mating. 21 

and give up the special mating. With the Silver Wyandottes one 
learns that the male should have density of color; or in other words, 
be darker than the Standard demands, because the male has more 
controlling power in color than the female; one with a light breast 
should not be used, except there is no alternative in the matter, and 
such a bird ought to be mated with hens quite dark and showing 
small white centers. 

To establish a line of breeders one must begin with a dark male, 
even if he has a dark breast to the extent of appearing black when 
viewed in front, if other points are desirable; select a cock between 
seven and a half and eight pounds, with good limbs, stout, short and 
set well apart; nice head with a broad crown; comb, wattles, neck, 
back, body, fluff, wings and tail of desirable quality and as near 
standard requirements as can be had. Right here we will add, it is 
color that is the real object of this mating, and if the black stripe 
on the hackle is broad and dense, or if the black runs along the 
sides of the white, do not discard him on that account; or if the 
silvery white on head, back, saddle and wing bows, be plain silver, 
though faulty, still it will serve its purpose here. 

The breast, body and thighs must be darker than the standard 
requirements. The breast should be dark, if not quite black, at the 
throat, the white points merely visible in the center as it merges to 
the body, but when ruffled or parted will show narrow white centers, 
growing larger as it approaches the body; the body and thighs quite 
dark, and fluff dark slate. 

Such a male is darker than standard requirements, and this is 
needed to give color to the offspring, not for one season, but for 
establishing a permanent line of breeders. The hens mated with 
this male should be medium light, lighter than standard hens, if 
they show a good hackle, and white centers on wing bows, free from 
black penciling. Hens that have been near standard color when 
pullets, and become light after moulting, make suitable mates. Do 
not discard them if they show open centers, even to spangling on 
breast — open white centers on saddle, and show light in fluff and 
tail, and be what is called light specimens in color, if other points 
are desirable. 

This mating transfers, compensates and modifies, because it is 
extreme mating and seldom resorted to, except in new breeds that 
have other elements in their composition, and not bred long enough 
in a direct line, to have established permanency in colors. If stand- 
ard females were mated to the male in question, the female offspring 



22 WyANDOTTKS. 

would be too dark; but in this you will have cockerels that will in- 
tensify the color of light pullets, darker than the dams, by selecting 
one like the sire. The pullets mated to their sire, and the dams to 
one of the cockerels, like the sire, the pullets of each mating the 
third year will be the ones to select for the breeding pen. as they 
will have prime color, and will fall but little short of standard require- 
ments; and the cockerels, the product of the old sire and the pullets, 
should be at the head of the pens. Mr. Felch recommends a similar 
course of mating in the start to secure a line of breeders, and is in 
substance somewhat like the one we have suggested. 

Mating No, i. — We are indebted to Mr. Felch for the follow- 
ing: "A male, like our original described sire (the one Mr. Felch 
has reference to, is described by him too fully to repeat here, but in 
substance that sire does not differ much from the one we have com- 
mended), except that the breast be black, with small white centers, 
thighs stone color, with fluff dark stone color, approaching black. 

" Mate pullets weighing full five and three-quarters to six 
pounds, full breasts, plumage of same fully laced, yet the white cen- 
ter of good size, and to grow smaller in the plumage and the black 
lacing wider as it approaches the tail, when it merges into a full 
black tail and stone colored fluff, with thighs nearly black, beak and 
shanks yellow, comb as described in the ancestor's. This mating 
to produce one line of sires, and no sire should be used from any 
other mating, if we hope to see this breed reach that accuracy and 
uniformity of breeding we see in Light Brahmas, 

*' Mating No. 2. — A male that has the form of structure consist- 
ent with standard requirement, and good clear color, save, I care 
not how black he be in breast, wing bar and tail, with dark stone 
colored fluff. With such a mate the pullets that look well from a 
distance, but show breast off in color, the lacing having crescents, 
the white in the middle of web of feather reaching the outer edge, 
with wide white center, penciled in the cushion plumage, and hav- 
ing light colored fluff and legs. (Mr. Felch uses the word stone 
color frequently, and it is intended to convey to the mind a certain 
shade of blue-black, like the bars on Plymouth Rocks.) 

"Mating No. 3. — Cockerel having a pure silver colored lacing 
and neck, back nearly white, silver-white laced breast, with wide 
center, gray thighs and breast, wing bars, if possible, with the color 
described, gray fluff, tail black, beak and legs yellow. 

" Females with dark heads and beaks and dark hackles, back and 
cushion nearly black, heavy laced breast, body and thighs, and fluff 



Silver Wyandottes — Mating. 23 

black. Males from such a mating should be killed as broilers. The 
standard colored pullets from such a mating will make good mates 
for standard-described male for mating No. i." 

The best mating, all things considered, is medium colored 
females and the male showing small white centers, one that is called 
a dark cockerel. There will be enough of color in him to give the 
female offspring standard color, and the males will be just right for 
breeding. We have placed much stress on color, because the lacing 
should be metallic black. Endeavor to breed out penciling, if it 
appears. If the color is secured in both sexes, one has achieved the 
most valuable and important point; coarse and wide combs, and the 
absence of the double wing-bar, may be the next effort to improve. 

General Mating. — This is to be considered in its proper 
sense, for we cannot be too careful in the selection of our sires and 
dams. Do not, if you can possibly avoid it, mate light colored 
males; their offspring cannot be trusted, though with certain mat- 
ings they may be standard; a watchful care and selection is needed 
for several years, no matter how fine they may appear. The males 
from a light sire, if used at all, though showing standard color, 
should be mated with dark hens, for the reason that he controls the 
color, and in the second or third generation is apt to transmit the 
lightness of his sire. 

The reason that Mr, Felch and other experienced writers give 
such mating as No. 3, is that some breeders may not have dark 
males, but plenty of dark females, and that, owing to one cause or 
another, had not, at breeding time, dark or even medium light males, 
and were obliged to use the best they had. A breed so popular as 
the Silver Wyandottes, and in the hands of experienced and inex- 
perienced persons, must be expected to breed in every way but the 
most desirable. The oldest of our breeds produce a large per cent, 
of non-standard birds, and every spring there is more or less selec- 
tion and skill necessary to breed them to standard requirements. 

Of course, the novice is aware that the males and females men- 
tioned in these matings as off in standard color, are desirable in 
other points, and if of proper color and lacing would be good birds 
and scale high. This should be understood by the young beginner, 
and if the male or female show any deformity of comb — too large, 
or following the form of the Hamburg, Dominique, or Dorking, or 
other flagrant faults, and off in color, too — such birds are not fit to 
breed from; but if other points are fairly good, the comb or other 
fault can be improved by mating one or more with small combs of 



24 Wyandottes 

proper shape with the bird that has a deformed comb. It is the 
same with hackles, breast, back, wings, tail, legs, etc.; whatever is 
deficient in one should be a little in excess in the other, so that the 
mating of such birds may give the offspring the feature in a modi- 
fied form. 

Color and comb are the most difficult points to get good. The 
novice may not have visited a leading show, to form in his mind 
what the male and female Silver Wyandotte should look like in 
these two particular features. The Silver Wyandotte cock has 
much, if not all, the color and penciling of the Dark Brahma, differ- 
ing in breast and wings. The hen is, in plumage, much like a well- 
laced Polish hen, but differing in tail. In fact, the Polish hen would 
be a very good ideal, as far as lacing is concerned. The comb should 
be a neat rose, fine, evenly corrugated, with a spike much shorter 
than that of the Hamburg, closely following the curve of the crown 
and bend of neck. 

Speaking of mating, Mr. J. Penfold Field, author of a small work 
on Wyandottes, published in England, says: "This breed, more, 
perhaps, than any other, has the tendency to breed light, and for this 
reason alone we should never breed from light males. We must 
always remember that males influence color more than females. 

"A standard male, with breast lacing not very wide, is the light- 
est we should ever use for breeding purposes, if we wish to place 
any reliance on our future stock. 

"Of course, the best mating of all is the happy medium, when 
we put full standard males to full standard females; but it is not 
many of us who are fortunate enough to have such birds to mate 
together, and we must therefore do the best with what we have. 

"Many of the females fail in breast, having moon-shaped span- 
gles instead of lacing. They will also be light in fluff and white in 
tail. To such birds we should mate a male that has been bred from 
standard hens, and that is up to standard in every point except 
breast, and this may be as dark as possible; even if pure black, it will 
be better, for such light-colored females, if mated to a standard bird, 
would scarcely breed a good chicken. Another style of females 
that many of us have are those which have perfect, heavily-laced 
breasts, but are too dark on back, cushion and wings. To such we 
must mate the lightest shade male that can be allowed by the stand- 
ard. In all matings we must get the males with as clear hackles as 
possible, free from white in tail, and in the Silvers the wings and 
back should be free from brassy or brown feathers. 



Silver Wyandottes — Mating. 25 

'' The females must be as free from penciling as possible, but 
always give the preference to those standard birds that may be 
slightly mossed on cushion, before those non-standard birds with 
good, clear backs. 

"Good pullets do not always grow into good hens, and as at 
least one-half the general run of matings will consist of second 
year's females, a word of warning will not be out of place: Do not 
discard hens that were good standard pullets, because they have 
moulted with spangled breasts — as a rule fowls breed to their first 
feathers — but mate these birds that have so faded, with a somewhat 
darker cockerel than you would use to a full standard female. 

" Of course, whenever it is possible, use hens that have moulted 
to full standard form, and use the full standard mating. 

" No matter what we may wish, think, or do, we cannot upset the 
first law of nature, " Like produces like," which, being interpreted 
as regards Wyandottes, means that standard males mated to stand- 
ard females will produce standard chickens of both sexes. Excep- 
tion proves the rule. I am aware that standard males and females 
can be and have been produced by matings other than this; but 
from no other mating is it possible to obtain such a large per- 
centage of good chickens of both sexes, as from the mating in ques- 
tion. 

*' I cannot too often repeat, and I will be very dogmatic on this 
point, that light males should never on any account be used; I will 
go even further than this, and say that even standard males of the 
progeny of a light sire must be thrown out. 

" This remark is also applicable to females, for no matter how 
fine a hen may be in her own personal charms, if she is the offspring 
of light, off-colored parents, she is nearly useless as a breeder and 
is certainly unreliable. 

" The above questions as to mating include both the Golden and 
Silver varieties. 

" Under-Color. — There is one other item that generally appears 
to be ignored in the mating of Wyandottes of all varieties — it is 
under- color. 

" Now, possibly, I may be told that so long as the surface is all 
right, what matters the color below ? Well, it only matters so much 
that it influences the whole progeny for generations. In the laced 
varieties this should be dark slate color, and were this always taken 
note of, we should not be troubled with the many off-colored birds 
that we are now. 



26 AVyandottes. 

" In White Wyandottes, under-color is the main secret of pro- 
ducing sound colored birds, for if this be not a pure white, free from 
any cream or lemon tinge, then it is just about impossible to get the 
surface color pure. The under color in Black Wyandottes should 
be dark slate, as in the laced varieties — but in many instances, on 
lifting the black feathers, they are found to be white at the root. 
This I can only put down to the influence of the yellow legs, for in 
poultry breeding yellow legs and black plumage do not go hand in 
hand, as one might wish to be the case.'' 

Some breeders say it is not natural. 

"I cannot travel quite so fast as this," continues Mr. Field, 
"because, so far as I can see, there. is nothing artificial in a yellow 
leg. In Italy, where birds are not scientifically bred. Black Leg- 
horns are seen with yellow legs. The percentage of good legged 
ones, I admit; the unnatural part of it, I do not. 

" One thing is, however, evident, viz.: The lighter the blood, 
the larger number of good legged ones obtained; and this leads me 
to suppose that very little attention is paid to white under-color, so 
long as that white does not appear in surface plumage. In these 
self-colored varieties it is only right that more attention should be 
given to combs and leg color, than in the laced varieties; not but 
what these sections should be as perfect in the Goldens and Silvers; 
but a faulty comb in a White or a Black, should be more severely 
dealt with in selecting for show or breeding purposes; the same 
applies to shanks. The reason is obvious. In the Whites and 
Blacks we have not the various sections of mixed colors to breed 
for, and, therefore, having only one color to obtain, the difficulty 
should not be so great, 

" Color faults in these two varieties are more often seen in the 
males — in neck, wings, back and saddle of the Whites, and neck 
and tail of the Blacks; but in the Black Wyandotte the most impor- 
tant point of all in mating is the quality of the shank. The tend- 
ency is to dark or yellowy-black, instead of bright yellow; and in 
selecting a bird for breeding, if we cannot get a perfect bird, we 
must use our discretion in choosing a bird sound in color but faulty 
in leg, or one perfect in legs and white in neck or tail. It must 
resolve itself into a question as to the extent of these two faults. 

"The Wyandotte, as seen in England, shows many deformities 
of comb. They are generally large, heavy, deeply serrated, fleshy 
masses, following the White Dorking and Hamburg type; spikes 
all shapes, and straight out behind, or, may be, with an upward 



Silver Wyandottes — Laws of Breeding. 27 

tendency (just the reverse of its proper form), and the surface 
prominently displaying hollows of various sizes. 

" In selecting for breeding, comb must be one of the chief con- 
siderations, and I shall always insist on a neat, fine, evenly corru- 
gated one, the surface corrugations being very small or pimply, with 
a spike of moderate length, closely following the bend of neck. 

" We cannot be too careful in the selection of our sires and 
dams, for not only will their faults or merits be seen in their own 
progeny, but a fault will frequently appear in the stock of later 
generations." 

LAWS OF BREEDING. 

" Evolution." — As we have given much space to breeding in 
this work, we can devote only a few pages to this important subject, 
though it is the first time that such a subject, its scope and treat- 
ment, has been brought forward in a work devoted to poultry. 
The law of evolution, so far as it is understood, is a law controlling 
development and keeping types within appointed circles of growth, 
which revolve for ever upon themselves, returning at appointed 
intervals to the same starting point, and repeating, through a suc- 
cession of phases, the same course. 

" Prepotency." — Is the power possessed by a bird of stamping 
his or her likeness upon the progeny of a union, to the exclusion of 
the likeness of the other parent. Some males have been remarkable, 
renowned and distinguished for such individual power, but experi- 
ments have proved that certain colors are more enduring than 
others, and are more readily transmitted. Most all breeders seem 
to favor the prepotency of the sire in externals, and, when the sire 
is white, his color is usually transmitted; but, when a Black-Red 
Game sire is crossed on Gray or Duckwing hens, the result is 
different. There is more or less counteracting influence in every 
opposite union, a sort of "see-saw" influence, or balance of male 
and female; this is as nature intended it should be. 

A "Breed." — This is generally understood to mean a natural 
division of species, differing in certain distinct points from all other 
species, A breed may consist of several "varieties," agreeing in 
certain common features, but differing in others. Varieties are 
generally artificially produced, or they maybe produced by different 
climatic or such like influences operating upon certain individuals 
of a breed. They may also be the resuh of a " sport," which is an 
accident or freak of nature, whereby is produced offspring differing, 



28 Wyandottes. 

in some important point or points, from the breed or variety to 
whicli its parents belonged. 

A "Strain " — Is, properly speaking, a family, with established 
and recognized points of mutual resemblance. 

" Heridity, or Atavism" — Is the inheritance by offspring 
of the characteristics or likeness of their ancestors, more or less 
remote. The phenomena of atavism or reversion to ancestral 
characters, and the resemblance of oftsprmg to a remote ancestor 
that differed in many respects from the parents, is little studied by 
the majority of breeders, and yet, many of the "sports" and off- 
colors which come suddenly in broods of pure bred fowls, once in a 
while, might be traced back to some controlling ancestor. 

The word atavism is from atainis, an ancestor, and, though the 
name is significant itself, it is better known by the names " rever- 
sion," "throwing back," "breeding back," to a long lost or for- 
gotten character in the ancestor. Any peculiarity of an ancestor, 
either in organization, type, form, color, trait, etc., may be transmit- 
ted, more or less, however remotely, to the offspring, when favorable 
conditions lead to their development. Mr. Tallet, of Betley, Eng- 
land, crossed his fowls with Malays, and, though he attempted to 
get rid of this strain, he gave it up in despair, the Malay character- 
istics reappearing forty years after the cross was made. Professor 
Agassiz has remarked that the offspring is not the offspring of 
fathers and mothers, but of the grandparents as well. 

Darwin has diligently labored to show that the evolution of 
species and varieties rests upon a triple foundation, which includes 
the law of inheritance, the law of variation and the law of selection. 
The law of inheritance points to thai universal tendency in all forms 
of life by which it transmits and perpetuates its likeness; the law that 
"like begets like." The law of variation is declared to modify this 
law of inheritance; individuals in any species having an original and 
inherent power to vary slightly from the parent form, to transmit 
such variations by successive transmissions and accumulations, to 
perfect and fix such variations; and, finally, it is asserted that nature, 
or natural selection, provokes and pushes this power of variation, by 
that fearful struggle for existence, that wide-spread and remorseless 
conflict, under whose steady pressure each living form is forced to 
develop to the utmost, to retain and augment every slight advan- 
tage — a conflict that issues in "the survival of the fittest." 

It is evident that Darwin makes the law of variation the scien- 
tific backbone of the whole system. His fundamental thought is. 



Silver Wyandottes — Laws of Breeding. 29 

that what we call species are only older varieties, and he justifies 
himself in this generalization by showing that, under the hand of 
man, by domestication and careful breeding, varieties may be pro- 
duced that exhibit the marks of distinct species. 

Selection breeding, then, is capable of inducing marked devia- 
tions from the original type. " But," Darwin argues, " if organic 
beings had not possessed an inherent tendency to vary, man could 
have done nothing. Man does not actually produce variability; he 
only, unintentionally, exposes his animals and plants to new con- 
ditions of life, and variability supervenes, which he cannot even 
prevent or check." That is, man only exposes the new form, but 
does not produce it. It must have been there potentially from the 
beginning; it is evolved, not created. Living forms must possess, 
not only the power to transmit their likenesses, but in favoring con- 
ditions to vary widely, to transmit and so perpetuate and fix the 
variations. In the wide field of nature, natural selection takes the 
place of man's selection; an immense advantage, in Darwin's judg- 
ment, as "man can act only on external and visible characters," 
while nature "can act on every internal organ, on every shade of 
constitutional difference, on the whole machinery of life." 

In-Breeding. — We now come to the most important part of 
the laws of breeding, and which interests every breeder more or 
less. This question has been frequently discussed, and with few 
unimportant exceptions, the great weight of authority opposes and 
condemns this system, as fraught with the worst possible evils, even 
to sterility, when carried to excess. We have given much study to 
this subject, and know the many difficulties that come in the way of 
the novice to avoid it, but we do believe, and we are the only one, to 
our knowledge, who has put himself on record by saying, that long 
continued incestuous breeding, in the absence of heredity transmis- 
sion, or reversion to ancestral characters, causes variation from the 
parent type, color and leading characteristics; and that some of the 
so-called "sports of nature," in animals and birds, could be traced 
to incestuous breeding. 

If space would permit, we think we could prove this point. We 
hold, with Dr. Dawson and other eminent scientists, that the first of 
every species was exceptionally perfect; but we are, perhaps, alone in 
saying that variation never takes place while the natural laws are 
strictly observed, and all under like conditions ; and the excep- 
tions to this rule are mainly due to nervous impressions, or in other 
words, sexual impressions, which are transmitted to one or more of 
the offspring through the nervous system. 



30 Wyandottes. 

Some apologists of in-breeding, point with pride to certain 
strains of horses, cattle, sheep, swine and fowl, then refer to the 
pedigree and inciuire triumphantly, " How can you produce in any 
other way, in so short a time, such splendid results ? We, the 
advocates of this system, have practiced it openly; we have produced 
winning stock at the shows and have made money. That is enough. 
What is possible, practicable and profitable, is advisable." That is 
a short plea, and it does not cover the ground or close the case. 
The in-breeder is like the man who insures his house and then sets 
it on fire. When the fire gets under strong headway, he calls for the 
fire engine; so in the other case there is a call for fresh blood. But 
the home is liable to burn down ! No matter — it is a quick way of 
turning it into money. 

Speaking of in-breeding, an English authority says: "There is 
always a starting point for this system. Reference is always made 
to some wonderful sire as the great progenitor. Now, let us inquire, 
how was the great progenitor obtained ? Was he the result of 
several turns of in-breeding ? Was he, designedly or accidentally ? 
What came of the union of two unrelated specimens, male and 
female, both possessing more than ordinary amount of good qualities, 
such as hardiness, symmetry, innate vitality and prepotency? People 
ought to know how these wonderful first parents came about, for 
they desire to come into possession of others. The fact is patent; 
these extraordinary specimens, that stand head and shoulders above 
their fellows, are the products of a long course of breeding and 
selection to be traced back thousands of years. They crop out here 
and there, sometimes unexpectedly; are not numerous, and if used 
according to the laws of nature and common sense, they tend greatly 
to accelerate improvement. If used in schemes of incest, they are 
about lost to their race, in the long run." 

This subject would not here receive so much attention were it 
not for the fact that the evils of in-and-in-breeding are becoming 
more and more apparent every year in this country. And this is 
the way that decadence is effected. An enterprising, or we may 
say fortunate, fancier gets in his possession a very remarkable male 
bird, having the gift of what is called prepotency in a high degree, 
and he calls this valuable stock-getter Duke of Essex, Excelsior, or 
what not. Very well — he ought to have a good name. He breeds 
this fine cock with the best hen he can possess. Very well— a fine 
lot of chickens. The next year he puts this fine cock with his own 
pullets, and the next year with those that would be his grand- 



Silver Wyandottes — Laws of Breeding. 31 

daughters. In the meantime he exhibits and advertises, and the 
world finds out that he has produced the renowned Excelsior strain. 
He sells to A, B and C in different sections, men who want the best, 
and they pay him high prices. They also study the " art of breed- 
ing," and they learn that the grand secret is in-breeding ; so they 
each commence the same process with their newly acquired stock. 
Each of them sells eggs for hatching, though they have a queer 
suspicion that the breeders do not lay well, and somehow there is a 
reduction in number and quality of chickens hatched, that does not 
correspond with prices paid. The few chickens hatched do not 
equal their great-great-great grandfather, on the father s side. 
There is something of a resemblance, but it is painful. An unusual 
vigor and prepotency is not easily blotted out. It is a great pity 
when all excellence is " bred out," and nothing is left but a name. 

" Natural Selection." — The theory of natural selection and 
of " the survival of the fittest," is as follows: Birds, as other animals, 
in a state of nature select their mates partly on account of their 
superior strength, etc., and partly on account of certain beauties, 
pleasing to the eye. In addition to this, the weaklings of each 
brood die, and those the plumage of which is least adapted for con- 
cealment from predatory animals, etc., fall a prey to their natural 
enemies. In both these ways the strength of the stock is kept up, 
and a particular type of plumage (that most pleasing to the eye of 
the other sex, or that most suited for concealment from enemies), is 
perpetuated. 

" Artificial Selection " — Is entirely different and consists, 
in the first instance, in the arbitrary settling by man of certain 
features which he desires to perpetuate, and the perpetuation by 
artificial means of these features. 

Remarks. 

The breeder is now in possession of the leading facts in the 
laws of breeding, and ought to profit by the information. There is 
yet much to be learned, and which still remains a stubborn mystery. 
It puzzles all to account for the variations which unexpectedly 
appear in flocks of fowls, as well as in animals. In a large family 
we seldom find all the children resembling either the father or the 
mother, and, in many instances, the resemblance to a grandparent 
or some more remote ancestor, prevails to so great an extent that the 
obvious peculiarities of the immediate parents are obscured. 

It has been remarked that no two animals are precisely alike in 



32 Wyandottes. 

all details of the organization, no matter how close the relationship 
or how striking the resemblance; and in connection with this, it has 
been observed that instances occur in which individuals present an 
assemblage of characters quite different from those that characterize 
the parents. These have been explained on the supposition that 
there must be a law of "spontaneity," which is antagonistic to 
heredity, or that the law of heredity is not constant in its action, 
but limited by numerous exceptions. 

JUDGING. 

The Standard demands that all varieties of the Wyandotte 
breed be of one shape, and that all must conform to the type of the 
Silvers, on account of priority; it being admitted to the Standard 
and judged by its present type, therefore, it should have the prefer- 
ence in regulating the form of all subsequent varieties. 

Symmetry — Is a mooted question among judges, therefore we 
will not discuss its value and usefulness in judging fowls; but no 
other word can express so concisely, intelligently and correctly its 
meaning. In considering symmetry, as it is generally understood, 
the male is judged more critically and severely than the female, and 
every defect punished more rigorously than the same in the female. 
This severity is due to the fact, that it is expected of the male to 
transmit external points in a greater degree, and therefore, every 
defect in symmetry is punished more severely in the male. Symme- 
try is the harmony of parts taken as a whole, and must be typical of 
the breed represented. 

A male with a large head, long neck, long legs and long, bony 
body, would not be considered symmetrical for a Wyandotte, because 
each section is defective and cannot represent the type of the breed. 
For instance, if the comb be too large or badly shaped, it is cut 
from one-half to a point; if the neck be long and not well arched, 
it is cut a point; if the back be not flat, or if too long and out of 
proportion, it is cut a point; if the breast is narrow, wedge shaped 
or cut away in fullness and roundness, it is cut a point; if the fluff 
be scant and the bird narrow behind the legs, it is cut one-half to a 
point; and if the tail be drooping, it is cut one-half to a point. 
These faults make symmetry defective. 

Weight. — This is judged by the scales; in all breeds having 
weight clauses, except Bantams, two points are deducted for any 
deficit from the standard weights, or in that proportion for any 
fractional part of a pound. 



Silver Wyandottes — Judging. 33 

Condition. — This implies health, cleanliness and general ap- 
pearance of plumage, and head and limbs. Some judges cut for 
broken plumage in this section, whilst others cut in the sections 
where such occurs. Fowls suffering from chicken-pox, roup, 
canker, or any eruptive disease; black and white comb, or scrofula, 
scaly legs or bumble foot, soiled plumage, or anything that would 
mar condition in its most healthy and perfect appearance, is subject 
to a cut of one to three points; surface soiling incident to cooping, 
scratches on head or legs from the same cause, is treated with lenity 
and usually passes uncut. 

Head. — This should be short and the crown broad; if narrow 
and wedge-shaped, or snaky-headed, like the Malay and Sumatra 
Game, it is cut one point; if the eyes be other color than bay, they 
are cut a point; if the beak be black throughout, or if cavernous 
and deficient in curve, each defect is cut; if a shade of yellow is 
discernable on the point and edges of lower mandible, a half-point 
would be just, but in the absence of any shade of yellow, it is cut a 
point; it is also cut a point for being flat. Plumage should be 
silvery white. 

Comb. — This is described as rose, but there is much difference 
in rose combs, as can be seen by comparing the comb of the Wyan- 
dotte and that of the Red Cap. The Hamburg comb is a typical 
rose comb. The Wyandotte comb differs from the latter in being 
smaller, and in having less prominence of spike. If the comb be 
too large, standing high from the crown, flat or hollow in center, or 
if it drops down flat upon the neck, or turns up at the rear, it is cut 
one point, but when the comb is excessively large, flabby and shaky 
with the movement of the head, it is cut one to three points, as in 
degree. The comb should have an oval sweep on top from front to 
rear, in place of being flat; if the comb be " chubby " and deficient 
in spike, it is cut one to two points, as in degree; one so fleshy as to 
lop to one side, disqualifies. 

Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — They should be bright red ; if 
the wattles be wrinkled, frozen or mutilated, they are cut one-half 
to two points, as in degree, but it is only when both wattles are 
missing, that two points can justly be imposed on wattles. The ear- 
lobes are seldom cut, only when white or yellow become permanently 
fixed over a part of the surface, and then they are cut one to three 
points, as in degree; but if the whole of the ear-lobes are covered with 
white or yellow enamel, as in White-Faced Black Spanish, it disqual- 



34 Wyandot'I'es. 

ifies the specimen. A blending of red and yellow, without appear- 
ing in patches, should not be cut over one point. 

Neck. — Should be short and well arched. The novice may not 
understand what is meant by the word short, as applied to the neck 
of the Wyandotte. It is short and thick in comparison with other 
breeds of the American class, and the arch of the neck is more con- 
spicuous on account of its shortness, and the hackle seems more 
abundant by the sweep of curve. When long or wanting in curve, 
it is cut one-half to one point; if the hackle be scant or short, it is 
cut one-half to one point; if the neck plumage be smutty black, and 
no distinct black stripe, it is cut two points; if the feathers have 
not a metallic lustre or if striped with brown, there is a cut of one 
to one and a half points, which can be added to the cut for smutty 
hackle. If the lacing be wanting one-half or three-fourths on 
feathers by reason of being black, it is cut one to two points; if the 
color be white, that is, the hackles without black stripes, it is cut 
two points; if in place of silvery white, the hackle be straw color or 
yellow, it is cut one to two points. 

Back. — The back is short for a breed of the size of Wyandottes, 
but compared with the length of the bird, it is medium. The back 
has a flat appearance across the shoulders, owing to the neck being 
short, and from the cape the downward slope is short, and the saddle 
rises with a concave sweep to the tail. If the back be convexed or 
roached, it is cut one-half to one and a half points, as in degree; if 
the back be narrow and oval, when the wings are set low, it shows a 
natural defect and injures symmetry, and such cases should be cut 
at least one point. The defects in this section, as a rule, are not 
many; long, round and narrow backs are quite common, but roached 
backs are rare. Pinched saddle, is cut one-half to one point; long 
backs, one half to one point; straight backs, one-half to one and a 
half points. The want of fullness in cushion is more apparent in the 
female, and is cut from, one-half to one point. If the back be not 
silver- white or silver-gray, with no black stripe in center of feathers, 
it is cut one-half to one point; if the saddle feathers be tinged 
with straw color or bronze or yellow or gray, it is cut from one-half 
to two points; if the black be tinged with copper or gray, it is cut 
from one-half to two points; if penciled white centers appear on the 
backs of females, it is cut one-half point; if the white centers be dis- 
colored, it is cut one-half to two points; slaty lacing is cut one-half 
to two points. 



Silver Wyandottes — Judging. 35 

Breast. — If the breast be crooked, it is cut one to two points; 
if flat in front or wedge-shaped, or if it fails in being broad and 
round, it is cut for either defect from one-half to one and a half 
points; if the plumage be too light, having a very narrow black 
lacing, it is cut one point; if the lacing be wide, and brown in color 
in place of being black, it is cut one point; if the breast be too dark, 
it is cut one-half to one and a half points, as in degree; if slaty lacing, 
one-half to two points; irregularity of line between colors, is cut 
one-half to one and a half; if white edge to the black lacing appear, 
it is one-half to one point; if there be a failure of lacing on the 
females, it is cut from one-half to two points. 

Body. — This should be thick, deep in front of thighs and well 
rounded at the sides, with a corresponding fullness of fluff. If the 
sides be flat, it is cut one point; if lack of depth, or shrunken in 
fluff, or spare in sides, each defect is cut from one-half to one point, 
as in degree; if there be an excess of fluff and of dropping down 
behind, it is cut one-half to one pomt; if plumage be white, it is cut 
one-half to one and a half points; if black fluff, one-half to one 
point; white splashes in front of thighs, from one half to one and a 
half points. The male is black, or black slightly frosted with white, 
upon the under part of the body; and the fluff should be dark slate, 
or dark slate powdered with gray. The female is less faulty in these 
points; for white underpart of body, or smutty black fluff, or for 
white fluff, the penalty of each defect is from one-half to one point. 

Wings. — They are medium large and should be carried high 
enough to cause a flat cape across the back, and when this is 
defective it is cut one point; drooping wings, one point; when wings 
are imperfectly folded or one wing carried higher than the other, it 
is cut from one-half to two points; the latter cut is for wings which 
have the primaries folded outside the secondaries, usually designated 
"slipped wing." There is another defect in wings which the 
Standard has not noticed, and which judges have seldom if ever 
specially noted; it is the weakness of the pectoral muscles, which 
are continually contracting and relaxing the wings. If the weak- 
ness be from fighting or flying, and can be shown that it is tempo- 
rary, a point or point and a half cut, to be considered the same as 
drooping wings; but if the weakness be from natural cause, the 
judge would be justified in disqualifying the specimen. The wing- 
bars are the most important sections of the wing, as the Standard 
calls for "a double-spangled bar." If the wings wholly fail in the 
bars, or, in other words, if the bar or bars are wanting, it is cut two 



36 Wyandottes. 

points; if the bar be solid black, with no spangles through the cen- 
ter, judges look on this with more leniency than if there was a loss 
of color to make two separate and distinct bars across the wing; as 
in the former case, the cut is usually half a point; or where it is a 
solid or Dark Brahma bar, it is the same; while in the latter case, 
the cut is one and a half points; if the outer web of secondaries be 
penciled with brown or black, to cloud the triangular tip, it is cut 
from one-half to two points, as in degree; primaries, three-quarters 
white, one point for each wing; solid white primary or secondary, 
one point for each wing; lesser coverts, wholly black, one to two 
points; black or bronze on rose of wing, from one-half to one and a 
half. In the females, the centers are sometimes penciled, and some- 
times the feathers are spangled, in place of being laced; the pen- 
ciled center is cut one-half to one and a half; spangled in place of 
laced, one-half to one and a half points. 

Tail. — If the tail be not well spread at the base, it is cut one 
point; if the sickles be straight, the cut is one point; if pinched or 
pointed, spike-like, one-half to one and a half; if the sickles be white, 
one-half to two points, as in degree; if the lesser sickles or tail 
coverts be colored with white, one to two points, as in degree; lesser 
coverts wholly white or gray, one point; white tips to main feathers, 
one point, and the same cut if white appear at the base of the main 
feathers. If the tail be carried squirrel-like, one to two points; when 
perpendicular, one point. In the female, if the tail be pinched, one 
point; grey on the upper surface of tail, one-half to one point. 

Legs and Feet. — If the thighs be long and small, the cut is 
one point; for each crooked toe, one point. This may seem severe 
for a long leg, but the thighs and shanks of this breed are rather 
short; one-half point is the usual cut, except in excess of length and 
fineness of bone, the full point is imposed. If the male shows grey 
thighs, the cut is one point; if the shanks be faded, or the front 
clouded with a dusky color, and the rear of the shank yellow, the 
cut is from one to one and a half points; black scales and dark 
clouding of shanks, one-half to two points. 

Remarks, 

We have quite fully given the defects and cuts which follow 
in judging Silver Wyandottes. Space will not permit us to judge 
the female singly, as we have in the most important sections em- 
bodied the female defects and cuts. The breast, however, needs 
further amplification, and, perhaps, it would be well to extend the 



Silver Wyandottes — Judging. 37 

judging to hackle, wings and fluff. In the females the breast plum- 
age is generally more defective than in males. Most of the cuts for 
defects are found in the throat and upper part of breast, owing to 
the failure of lacing, and these defects are cut from one-half to two 
points; the hackle is also cut for failure in color. If the stripe in 
the silvery-white feathers be wide at the point, giving a smutty or 
blotched appearance, it is cut from one to two points. If the cush- 
ion be flat, cut one-half point, and when it is so flat as to part at 
tail, it is cut from one to one and a half points. If the plumage of 
cushion be white, laced with black and the centers penciled, it is cut 
one-half point; if fluff be white, it is cut one to one and a half 
points; if the plumage on back has bricky, copper or bronzed color 
or hue, it is cut from one to two points, as in degree. If the prima- 
ries be white, it is cut a point for each wing; but this does not include 
the narrow outer edge, which should be white. If the secondaries 
be black on outside web, " failing to round the tip of the feather so 
as to give the scallop finish to the secondaries when folded," it is 
cut one-half to one point; if secondaries be white, it is cut two 
points; if the white center of coverts be penciled, the cut is one-half 
to one point, as in degree; if the coverts be wholly white, the cut is 
two points. If the tail be pointed, like the Cochin, it is cut one 
point; if the tail proper be tinged with white, one-half to two points, 
as in degree; if straw color or bronze appear on the coverts, it is cut 
one point; if the tail be carried upright, one point, and when squirrel 
fashion, it is one to one and a half points. 

In nearly all other sections, especially of form, the female is 
judged and cut for defects like the male. As a crooked breast bone 
has much weight in breeding, it should be cut two points in the 
female, as well as the male. The female has less defects in form, 
and suffers most from penciling and indistinct lacing. Proper care 
and good food will help much to put fowls in good condition of 
flesh and plumage for the show room. If raised in a close pen, 
without regard to cleanliness and proper food to enrich the plumage, 
the pullets at the second moult will not shed clean, and many of the 
old feathers will become rusty and mar the remaining plumage, 
when it is closely examined in the judge's hands. Of course the 
comb, face, wattles and shanks should be cleansed with a mixture of 
alcohol and water, into which some pieces of castile soap may be 
put; then, with a nail brush, cleanse the dirt and scurf from head 
and scales of legs and anoint with a little alcohol and olive oil, to 
brighten and keep the parts from cracking, or becoming dry and 



38 Wyandottes. 

rough. Green food, a little meat, some flax seed and also sunflower 
seed, a few weeks before show time, will help to put the plumage 
in a more presentable condition. 



PART SECOND. 



Golden Wyandottes. 



ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 

It was evident from the hearty reception of the Silver Wyan- 
dottes, under the name American Sebrights, that some of our enter- 
prising fanciers would, ere long, begin to experiment with the view 
of producing a Golden variety; one that would share public favor 
and add another laurel to the brow of American skill. True, such 
an idea was not original, seeing that several varieties of our standard 
breeds, both laced and spangled, are plumed in a rich golden dress, 
which adds much beauty and value to their respective families. 

There is no doubt that the idea of a Golden American Sebright 
had entered the minds of several fanciers at an early day, and that 
they proceeded, on different lines of crossing, to obtain the desired 
object. However, it was reserved for Mr. Joseph McKeen, a vete- 
ran fancier of Omro, Wis., to achieve marked success in originating 
and bringing forward a Golden variety, with all the leading charac- 
teristics of the Silver Wyandottes. 

The well-earned reputation which followed the introduction of 
the Golden variety, after years of crossing other fowls to obtain a 
product worthy of crossing on the American Sebrights, which would 
insure desired points and fix them in the new variety, Mr. McKeen 
accepts with becoming modesty; and while others have striven to 
take shorter paths, by using Golden Hamburgs, Partridge Cochins, 
Rose-Comb Leghorns, and, in some strains, Black-Breasted Red 
Games, or Brown-Red Games, it is much to his credit that no jeal- 
ousy exists on his part, or on the part of other workers in the same 
direction, so far as we know. 

The Golden Wyandottes, like all new-made varieties, had not 
been brought to that degree of excellence which the fancier judo-e 
would call perfect, when the variety was admitted to the Standard. 
We examined some specimens on exhibition, and although they 
showed yellow on earlobes, faulty combs, dull yellow or bay ground 



40 Wyandottes. 

color, the material was there for a handsome and useful fowl. It 
could, in truth, be said that they had less glaring faults than some 
of the Silvers which were exhibited in 1883. 

Perfection in standard points must be reached by slow and sure 
improvement. Rich and mellow though it be, the ground color can 
with advantage be made richer, and pure golden take the place of 
light yellow or buff; the lacing, too, can be much improved by a rich 
metallic black, in place of dark brown or sooty black. From time 
to time, as the variety grows older, and stronger competition is met 
in the show room, improvement of one point or another will show 
itself to the breeder and judge. Our tastes improve with our breed- 
ing, in the same manner that our skill and intellect improve with 
our experience and study. We are growing more aesthetic every 
day in our tastes, and demand better specimens of standard breeds 
than in times past, when our tastes were on a level with our environ- 
ment. 

No doubt Mr. McKeen, and other fanciers who conceived the 
idea of originating a Golden variety of Wyandottes, had this ultimate 
view in mind. To such men, there is a satisfaction and pleasure 
beyond the cash value, which such stock is sure to bring sooner or 
later. As fanciers, they knew well it would take time to bring per- 
fection about, and it must come by slow degrees, and without dis- 
turbing those already fixed. The material is there; the form and 
structure already molded; the make up suggests comeliness and 
usefulness; a modification or, if you please, a " go between " the 
Asiatic and European types, which seems so well adapted to the size 
and practical value of the variety. 

The history of the Golden Wyandottes is so well known to old 
fanciers that a repetition would not be attempted, were it not that 
we have been favored with a full and correct account of the material 
and the manner of crossing to obtain the breed designated " Winne- 
bagoes," which was used as a top cross on the Whittaker strain of 
Silver Wyandottes, written by Mr. Joseph McKeen, specially for 
this book. As there are many points of interest in relation to the 
Winnebagoes that are new and never before published, we will give 
his statements in full: 

" Some parties that have written on the Golden Wyandottes for 
publication in the poultry papers, the past few years, have been 
pretty near correct in their statements in regard to their origin, 
characteristics, etc., but are a little in error in supposing that the 
* Winnebagoes,' the top cross on the American Sebright to produce 



Golden Wyandottes — History. 41 

the Golden Wyandottes, had been bred for a long time in Wiscon- 
sin. How they formed this opinon I do not know, as there is noth- 
ing in my writing or circulars that would lead to such a conclusion. 

" I am aware that many breeders of Golden Wyandottes are 
intensely anxious to know more about the Winnebagoes, the quality 
of their foundation blood, the material and characteristics which en- 
tered their composition. The following facts will throw some light 
on the subject: A few years prior to the time I began to breed the 
Golden Wyandottes, I was breeding Pea-Comb Partridge Cochins, 
and Single-Comb Brown Leghorns; I also procured some eggs of 
the Rose-Comb Brown Leghorn variety from T. J, McDaniel, South 
HoUis, Me. He did not claim that they were pure-blood Leghorns, 
but were crossed with a fowl, about the same color, that had a rose- 
comb and red earlobes, called ' York County ' fowls. 

" I had these Partridge Cochins, Brown Leghorns and Rose- 
Comb Leghorns together, and selected those that had the best 
rose combs, cleanest yellow legs and reddest earlobes. I selected a 
large cockerel that had a good rose comb, clean yellow legs, red ear- 
lobes, and plumage about the same as a Partridge Cochin male. 
I bred this cockerel on some mongrel Buff Cochin hens that came 
into existence in the following way: Some time about 1872 or '73, I 
was breeding some fine Buff Cochins and Golden Sebright Bantams. 
I let a family named O'Neil have some eggs of both these varieties; 
they raised the chickens and let them run together with some 
medium-sized common fowls on a farm. A few years after this, I 
found, with the O'Neil family, Buff Cochins with yellow legs, rose- 
combs, light leg feathering, and a slight show of lacing on some 
specimens. I bred the Partridge Cochin-Brown Leghorn cockerel, 
above mentioned, on some of these Buff hens, and the result was 
some cockerels of a very deep buff, all but the tail, and that was a 
sJiiny green black, with rose-comb and clean, yellow legs. Dorsey 
Smith, agent for the American Express Company, at Waukau, Wis., 
bought one of these cockerels of me about ten years ago, and has 
bred a number like him since. The pullets were of a kind of buff 
color with more or less penciling or lacing. My farm I called 'The 
Winnebago Poultry Farm,' and as these fowls were raised there, I 
called them 'Winnebagoes.' Now, from what I have written, we 
deduce these facts: that the Winnebagoes, the top cross to produce 
Golden Wyandottes, have Pea-Comb Partridge Cochin, Rose and 
Single-Comb Brown Leghorn, Buff Cochin, and I have reason to 
believe, a very little Golden Sebright Bantam blood in them, no 



42 \VYAN])0'l"rES 

Game blood, as some suppose. I believe that the Golden Wyan- 
dottes in the east have Game blood in them." 

Mr. McKeen began the task of originating Golden Wyandottes 
in 1880. His strain comes nearer to the Silver Wyandottes, in 
standard points, than the strains which have been produced by other 
parties. At an early day, G. L. Van Buskirk, Odell, 111, experi- 
mented with the view of producing Golden Wyandottes; also W. E. 
Shed, Waltham, Mass., Jacob Ryder, Waynsboro, Pa., and Ira C. 
Keller, Tiffin, Ohio. Each of these fanciers, it is said, used Golden 
Hamburgs, Partridge Cochins and Silver Wyandottes in the forma- 
tion of their respective products, but neither was so successful as Mr. 
McKeen. 

The Golden Wyandotte was admitted to the American Stand- 
ard, at Indianapolis, Ind., January, 18S8. It was a surprise to many 
fanciers to see so young a variety admitted to honors without any 
opposition. They were very popular and promised to be a valuable 
acquisition to our stock. A number of new breeds had been pro- 
posed for admission, and it would be impolitic to refuse such a 
promising variety, while so many native and foreign varieties were 
being admitted. 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

As a variety of the Wyandotte family, the Golden is a promis- 
ing fowl, not alone for its transcendent beauty, but also for its gen- 
eral usefulness. It has all the merits of the Silvers, and an addi- 
tional one of rich and unique plumage, as irridescent as that of the 
Black-Red Game. It was a favorite with many before it became a 
standard variety, but it was difficult to procure any birds or eggs 
until their breeders were satisfied that they could offer them in good 
faith to the public and feel confident of giving general satisfaction. 
To this reserved policy we are indebted for so few poor birds 
having been offered for sale; and, if the same safeguards had been 
thrown around the other recently-admitted varieties, we would have 
avoided many of the sales and the propagation of inferior and mon- 
grel birds, and, also, many of the complaints which followed. 

The merits claimed for the Golden variety do not trench on 
those of the Silver, nor lessen their inestimable qualities. On the 
contrary, the Golden adds much to the popularity of the whole 
family, as the White Wyandotte enhances the value of its parti- 
colored cousins. The Black, too, has its own special merits; each 
thus fulfilling its own mission and sphere of usefulness, and giving 



Golden Wyandottes — Characteristics. 43 

pleasure and satisfaction to their admirers. This is the carrying 
out of the law of compensation, which gives to every variety some 
special merit. 

The Golden Wyandotte has an attractive plumage, in addition 
to its intrinsic qualities. If one were to judge its future by its 
growing popularity, it is certain that it will take the lead in the 
American class, because it is robed in colors which convey to the 
eye and taste a richer plumage, one more admired for its rarity 
among domestic fowls, one which captivates the visitor to the exhi- 
bition room, and the amateur of taste who beholds them on the 
fanciers' well-kept lawn. With all these outside merits, they are no 
better layers than the Silver, White or Black; with all the beauty 
of plumage, they do not excel the other members in flavor, sweetness 
and tenderness of flesh. Some fanciers claim for them superior 
merits, and say they possess a stronger and hardier constitution, are 
surer stock getters, grow faster, and are less liable to the common 
ills of poultry. They base these claims on the material that was 
added to the Silver breed, in order to produce the golden plumage. 

We will not discuss these claims, as we have no reason to doubt 
them, and prefer the testimony of breeders who have made careful 
comparisons, covering a number of years. There are many ardent 
admirers of the Golden Wyandottes, besides their breeders, who sug- 
gest, a reduction of weight; that it is a drag-chain, which has kept 
them back from the beginning; that their beauty would show to 
better advantage if united with a more tidy and graceful carriage; 
that the grossness of size and shape is too suggestive of Asiatic; that 
a reduction of a pound, at least, would increase their fertility, and 
render their flesh more tender and succulent; that the day of huge 
carcasses is over, and sensible breeders have come to the conclusion 
that grossness of size is incompatible with fertility, flavor and deli- 
cacy of flesh, and with our improved cesthetic tastes. 

With our experience, covering nearly half a century, in the breed- 
ing and study of domestic fowls ; our travels abroad, pursuing the 
same study; gleaning information on the most noted breeds of Eu- 
rope, North Africa, Western and Southern Asia, and the Indian Ar- 
chipelago, while engaged in the interests of ornithology with our 
distinguished cousin, well known as an eminent naturalist; we are 
free to confess, it is our humble opinion, that when breeds or 
varieties are bred with the ultimate view of increasing their size 
beyond the growth of the average-sized birds, as they develop in 
the broods, with their abnormal growth, there is a corresponding 



44 Wyandottes. 

decrease in the fertility of the hens, and, also, in the prepotent 
functions of the male; or, in other words, grossness of size, in male 
or female, is tantamount to a decrease in production, and in fertili- 
zation of that production. 

This is not our first time in giving such an opinion to the 
fraternity, for, every spring, when suggesting something on mating 
or egg production, we deplore and condemn grossness, as being 
antagonistic to precociousness and fertility, and our views have 
passed unchallenged. The same law holds good among the larger 
species of animals and plants; it is nature's law of distribution, or- 
ganization, compensation and deduction. Our Asiatic and American 
classes would be more valuable as egg-producers and stock-getters, 
if a pound or more would be taken off their standard weights. We 
suggest this advisedly and disinterestedly, as we are not at present 
breeding any of the varieties of either class. 

It is well known on this side of the Atlantic, to what extremes 
English fanciers have indulged, in the past decade. The excessive 
development to which they have brought Asiatics, Plymouth Rocks 
and Wyandottes, has been marked by a large decrease in the num- 
ber and fertility of eggs. The same complaint is heard throughout 
the land regarding the failure of Cochin eggs to hatch well. A 
similar complaint arose in this country a decade ago, and while 
there was a premium on abnormal size and weight. Mr. Isaac K. 
Felch, whose experience in poultry is second to none on this conti- 
nent, favors natural weight in the large varieties, as he has witnessed 
hundreds of cases, showing vast improvement in production and 
fertilization, since extra points for weight have been abrogated in 
the Standard. 

Since the English fancier has taken to the breeding of Plymouth 
Rocks and Wyandottes, size is a leading fad, and is detrimental to 
plumage and other points. The coarseness of their Plymouth 
Rocks, almost verging on the Asiatic, shows the English predilection 
for excessive development. In the same manner, the fanciers of 
Wyandottes are breeding them to individual types, and to suit indi- 
vidual judges. A small English work on Wyandottes before us 
says that "The types of Silver Wyandottes, as seen in England, are 
as numerous as the colors of the rainbow.'' Again, it says : "The 
failings or faults of Silver Wyandottes, as found in England, are 
really very numerous — so numerous, in fact, that one seldom sees a 
good bird. The reason is, that English judges and breeders have, 
until recently, been going for an entirely wrong type throughout." 



Golden Wyandottes — Characteristics. 45 

Speaking of the Golden variety, it says : "As generally shown, 
Goldens will compare favorably with Silvers in point of merit, and 
individual males and females have been seen far surpassing in 
quality any of the Silvers yet exhibited. This I put down to the 
fact of the 'Goldens' not having been in England long enough to 
be spoilt; but I am afraid to say how long it will be before they are, 
as, even this year, the pullets are a very long way behind those 
exhibited by. Mr. Geffcken at the Crystal Palace, and elsewhere, in 
1888." 

The Golden Wyandotte has been much improved the past few 
years, in this country ; the jaundiced yellow ground work has 
given place to rich yellow or golden bay. The male has the same 
short, flat and broad crown as the Silver, White and Black Wyan- 
dottes, but the color of plumage is rich yellow or golden bay; eyes 
and beak the same color as those of the Silver; shape, size and 
points of comb the same; ear-lobes and wattles the same in size, 
form and color; neck, hackles, back, breast, body and fluff the same 
in form and development, only differing in plumage, which is golden 
end deep reddish bay, the fluff slightly tinged with yellow; wings, 
legs and tail the same as corresponding parts in the Silver, differing 
only in the outer web of the primaries being edged with buff or 
golden bay, outer half of the lower web of secondaries, golden bay; 
lower web of wing coverts, deep buff or golden bay; wing bows, deep 
reddish bay; web of shoulder coverts, deep, rich red; thighs, tinged 
with yellow; the edging of lesser tail coverts, reddish bay being 
permissable. The Golden is exactly the same as the Silver in stand- 
ard points, except color; yellow, golden bay, and deep reddish bay, 
take the place of white and silvery white; undercolor, dark slate, 
tinged with yellow. 

As there is a promising and wide field before the Golden Wyan- 
dottes, owing to their rich and attractive plumage, we will offer a 
few suggestions on description and Judging, which will albo aid the 
novice in his efforts to become more familiar with the form and 
color points of the variety. And, as the plumage of the Golden is 
the counterpart of that of the Silver, with the exception of the 
ground color, as above stated, which is golden bay instead of silvery 
white, a minute description of the Golden is unnecessary. How- 
ever, we will mention the defects in each section, and the cuts 
which should be inflicted in each case, thus making it as valuable 
and instructive to the novice as if we were to devote a special 
chapter on judging. 



46 Wyandottes. 

DESCRIPTION, DEFEC rS AND CUTS. 

It is to be understood that the type of the Golden Wyandottes 
must conform to that of the Silver, as explained in the preceding 
chapter, and each section, in form, must also comply with the stand- 
ard for Silvers. 

Head. — The shape of head with its broad crown is the same as 
that of the Silvers, and all defects in shape are cut the same point 
or points as given in judging Silver Wyandottes. Defects — Narrow 
on crown, pointed or snaky, long and wedge shaped, like that of 
Games; cut, one point. 

Eyes, bay in color. Defects — Grey, yellow or red, or other color 
than bay; cut, one point. 

Beak, nicely curved, dark horn color, shading to yellow at the 
point. Defects — Flat beak, cavernous, as in crested fowls, wholly 
black; cut, one point for each defect. 

Comb, rose, low, not quite as wide at base as crown; top, oval 
in shape, surface covered with corrugations, and terminating in a 
small spike at the rear; the whole comb curving slightly, so as to 
take the form of the skull; color, bright red. Defects — Too large, 
stubby, surface unevenly corrugated, hollows in surface, spike of 
bad shape, spike turning upward, spike pressing on neck, absence 
of spike; cut, from one-half to three points, as in degree. 

Wattles, medium length, nicely rounded, and bright red in 
color. Defects — Wrinkled, torn, disfigured by frost, both wattles 
missing; cut, one-half to two points. 

Ear-lobes, bright red, and well developed. Defects — White or 
yellow enamel on surface, so as to appear permanent; wholly covered 
with enamel disqualifies; cut, one to three points, as in degree. 

Color of plumage, rich yellow or golden bay. Defects — Pale 
yellow; cut, one half to one point. 

Neck. — The same length, form and curve as that of Silvers. 
Defects — The same as stated before; cuts for the same defects and 
in the same proportion, according to the degree. This holds good 
throughout all the sections. 

Plumage, golden bay, each feather having a clear black stripe 
through the center thereof, and tapering to a point at the extremity. 
Defects — Other color than golden bay, lacing obliterated two-fifths 
of length, smutty hackle, loss of black stripe, stripe without lustre, 
scant hackle; cut, in degree, as in Silvers. 

Back. — The same in length, width and form as that of the 



Golden Wyandottes — Description. 47 

Silvers. Defects — The same as stated before; cuts for defects and 
in the same proportion, according to degree, as for Silvers. 

Plumage, deep reddish bay, the saddle having a black stripe 
through the center of each feather, as in hackle. Defects — Other 
color than reddish bay, stripe without lustre, reddish bay lacing 
tinged with white, penciling on lacing, smutty back, saddle void of 
black stripe, white in under-color, or other defects; cut, in the same 
manner as in Silvers. 

Breast. — The same as that of the Silvers. Plumage, under- 
color, slate, slightly tinged with yellow; the web black, with medium- 
sized golden bay centers, which taper to a point near the end. 
Defects — Outer edging tinged with golden, black penciling in cen- 
ters, centers light in color, too dark at throat, centers indistinct, 
other color of centers than golden bay, other color than slate tinged 
with yellow in under-color; cut, in the same manner as in Silvers. 

Body and Fluff. — -The same as in Silvers, Plumage, under- 
color, the same as breast; web of feather, black, or black tinged with 
reddish bay; fluff, dark slate, and tinged with yellow. Defects — 
Are less in this section than breast or back; sooty back, absence of 
yellow on fluff, lightness of color, white in under-color, and such 
defects as would detract from standard requirements; cut, in the 
same manner as in Silvers. 

Wings. — The same in size, shape and manner of being carried, 
as that of the Silvers. Plumage, deep buff or golden bay on the 
lower or outer edge of the primaries, where it is white in the Silvers; 
the other part of the primaries is black; secondaries are also black, 
with outer half of the lower web golden bay, where it is white in 
Silvers; wing coverts, the upper web black, the lower web golden 
bay, with a narrow black stripe on the edge, which widens as it 
comes near the tips, thus forming a double spangled bar across the 
wing; wing-bows are a deep reddish bay; shoulder coverts — web of 
feather deep rich red, and under-color slate. So it is seen that 
reddish bay takes the place of silvery white on wing bows, and web 
red in place of white in Silvers. Defects — bows too dark, want of 
bars, penciled on secondaries, smutty bars, black on outer edge of 
primaries, white in under-color, light buff on primaries, indistinct 
bars or black running into bay, and such defects as mentioned be- 
fore by substituting golden bay for silvery white; cut, in the same 
manner as in Silvers. 

Tail. — The same in form and furnishing as that of the Silvers, 
and the same throughout except the edging of reddish bay on the 



48 ' Wyandottes. 

coverts following the color of the saddle. Defects — The same, and 
cut the same for too much red or white appearing in tail, or other 
faults. 

Legs and Toes. — The same as in Silvers. Defects and cuts 
the same. 

The Female. — As the female Golden Wyandotte is judged on 
the same principle of scoring as the female of Silvers, and, as there 
will be found in both male and female a little more irregularity in 
the divisions of the colors, they will, for some time to come, be 
judged a little more severely than their cousins. The female Silver 
Wyandotte is more favored, so to say, by the character of the 
defects, as they are usually of the nature of reddish and bronze 
shadings, pencilings, under-color light, white in tail, too much stripe 
on neck, back mossy, lacing on breast not going all around, and a 
white edging to black lacing with under-color light; the female of 
the Golden variety will show defects which will be much harder to 
breed out, as the golden color may be marred by pencilings, even 
double pencilings, as in the Cornish Indian Game, in some speci- 
mens already reported in England; light shadings, or white in 
under-color and tail, and the black stripes and lacings, are subject 
to the same slaty or rusty shadings as the Silvers, and, of course, 
such defects should have similar cuts. 

We have given as much information on judging as our limited 
space will allow. In fact, we have transcended the limit set apart 
for the Silvers and Goldens, on account of the colors and their 
distribution over the whole plumage. Solid colored breeds do not 
need so much space for description., mating and judging, as there is 
but one color to describe, and the defects may be readily judged, 
as they usually accompany one color; but, in the Silver and Golden 
Wyandottes, new defects may come up any time, as the colors are 
not thoroughly and permanently established, and the same class of 
defects is not always present. "This complication of color, or, 
rather, combining a penciled and spangled race, out of which to 
establish a lace plumage, has been no easy matter." In all the exhi- 
bitions, the examination of the scores of males show the largest cut to 
be in neck, breast, and body or wings, the latter ruling the highest, 
while in females they cut heavily in breast and body, neck and back. 
A man who can correctly judge Silver and Golden Wyandottes, has 
laid a good and promising foundation for becoming a first-class " all 
round " poultry judge. 



PART THIRD. 



Black Wyandottes. 



ORIGIN AND HISTORY, 

The Black Wyandotte is the la'^t addition to the Wyandotte 
family, and has proved a worthy member in comeliness and utility. 
No family in the Standard can show such evenness in size, type and 
general characteristics as the Wyandotte. There is not a good or 
poor quality in one that is not found in the other, and, what is most 
singular, two varieties of the family are "sports," and two have 
been made by composite crosses. The unity of standard points is 
not accidental, but rather due to intelligent and harmonious views 
on the part of their breeders, to make all uniform in every standard 
point, save color. 

The Black Wyandotte is bred in a quiet way, and handled by 
some experienced breeders. It is not likely to create a stir among 
fanciers when it becomes a Standard variety, and takes its place 
with its older cousins ; there are so many handsome varieties 
belonging to the family, which will attract, please and satisfy many, 
who will not transfer their liking to a black fowl. It will, however, 
have many warm friends, and those who are at all partial to black, 
will be sure to breed the Black variety, and many will, in years to 
come, make a specialty of Wyandottes, and breed all varieties. 

Black Wyandottes are bred in a limited way, owing to a divison 
among breeders as to the color of their legs. Some are striving to 
establish a yellow leg, so as to be uniform in this, as well as in other 
standard points, with other members of the family; and, besides 
the addition of yellow legs will make them more valuable for market 
or fancy sale, more attractive on the lawn and in the show-room, 
and set off the rich black plumage and red of head to better advan- 
tage. The majority of Black Wyandotte breeders is in favor of 
breeding them with yellow legs, although it is well known to be a 



50 Wyandottes. 

hard task to fix them on a black fowl, without sacrificing color; 
white appearing at times in under-color, wings and tail. 

Every naturalist knows that black fowls do not, as a rule, have 
yellow legs ; and every naturalist knows that by far the greater 
number of standard varieties do not follow nature in their standard 
points; all are, more or less, artificially bred from comb to tail; a 
constant watchfulness, culling and selection being kept up, year 
after year, to prevent natural colors, natural type and facial ap- 
pendages appearing in the broods. This is conceded, then, in the 
case of Black Wyandottes : a dusky leg would be more natural to 
the variety, fewer disappointments in breeding would occur; novices 
could take up their breeding with reasonable expectations of success, 
and feel assured of rarely seeing light under-color or white in the 
plumage. 

On the other hand, it is claimed that breeding Black Wyandottes 
with yellow legs saves the variety from deterioration, as those with 
black legs may or may not be pure, and no variety can be so readily 
" made up to order " as Elack Wyandottes with dark legs. A Black 
Wyandotte mated with very dark Plymouth Rock hens, or Black 
Javas, will, in a few generations, pass muster for Black Wyandottes, 
and there are scores of breeders and jobbers ever ready to turn 
a quick sale to account, and not over scrupulous as to the manner 
of breeding, to obtain the black plumage and black legs. 

Another point urged in favor of yellow legs is, that as all the 
other varieties of Wyandottes have bright bay eyes and yellow legs, 
it would be odd to have one of the family differing from the others 
in color of legs. Some white varieties have pale or flesh-colored 
legs, and some have blue ; and some black varieties have yellow 
legs. Much depends on the material used in making a black vari- 
ety, or on the stock from which it is a "sport ; " that is one great 
cause which works against a successful fixity of yellow legs in black 
fowls. No doubt, time and patience will accomplish the breeding of 
Black Wyandottes with yellow legs, and a yellow leg is far prefera- 
ble to black, if too many otherwise splendid specimens be not sacri- 
ficed annually, for so small a matter as the color of legs. 

Much could be said for and against the question of yellow 
legs in this variety. Personally, we much prefer the yellow legs, 
for the reason that it would enhance their value, and lead many 
amateurs to take up their breeding, who would not be attracted 
to them if bred with black or dusky legs. Yellow legs would not 
make them better layers, provided pure Wyandottes were bred with 



Black Wyandottes — History. 51 

dark legs, agreeably with standard requirements; but, if yellow legs 
be the exception, and not the rule, after eight or ten years breeding 
in a direct line, then, we say, dark legs should be the standard 
color — the natural color, and the easier color to produce. It is by 
no means impossible to breed and maintain yellow legs on Black 
Wyandottes as many Black Leghorns in Italy have yellow legs, and 
that, too, without special efforts in breeding; but we have noticed, 
at the same time, that white in wings, tail and under-color almost 
invariably accompanied yellow legs. Some of the native Black 
Games of India, notably the Pulligars have yellow legs, and forty 
years ago many of the Black Pit Games in Great Britain had yellow 
legs. Yellow is a tropical color, and yellow or tawny legs prevail in 
Southern Asia among domestic fowls. Fanciers have made greater 
and more diiificult changes than yellow legs and have been suc- 
cessful. 

It would help the culture of Black Wyandottes if breeders were 
in accord on the question of yellow legs and disqualifications, as it 
would save many otherwise good birds being put to the block for 
light under-color, discolored hackles, and white in wings or tail, 
as in the breeding of Black Cochins some years ago. This discord 
on the question of leg color, will work injury to the variety and dis- 
courage many from taking them up, as there is no assurance, at pres- 
ent, of a final adoption of one in preference to the other, though it 
is confidently surmised that the standard adopted will be for dark 
legs; that is, of the color of Black Cochins — unless outside pressure 
strongly prevail on the advisability of its adopting yellow legs, as 
being more in accord with other members of the family, and being 
more popular. 

True, the advocates for dark legs on Black Wyandottes, have 
better grounds for their preference and can appeal to nature and 
precedent, and how the change from yellow to dark has benefited 
other black varieties and removed the recurring obstacles which fol- 
lowed their breeding. A compromise can be readily effected, if they 
cannot agree on yellow legs — to accept willow, or yellowish black, 
the standard for Black Leghorns. The few English fanciers who 
have imported Black Wyandottes are in favor of yellow legs. It is 
not a strong point to adduce some black varieties, as an illustration 
to show that Black Wyandottes ought to have dark legs, as the 
material of which they are partly composed reverts to dark or dusky 
legs in the ancestors, perhaps for hundreds of years. There are 
exceptions to this rule, and Black Wyandottes may succeed, though 



52 Wyandottes. 

other black varieties have failed of giving satisfaction, while being 
bred with yellow legs. 



GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

The Black Wyandotte has not been thoroughly tested in the 
line of breeding, though it is safe to say that they have come up to 
all reasonable expectations so far. The number of fairly good speci- 
mens, and the average percentage of faulty birds in color, count 
well in their favor; while faults in shape, comb, ear-lobes, breast and 
body do not fall behind the Goldens. This favorable showing on 
the start is mainly due to the skill and experience of their original 
breeders, as few novices have taken a fancy to them, owing first to 
their color, and being a non-standard variety, and in the next place, 
there are three other varieties of the same class enjoying well- merited 
popularity on their handsome and unique plumage ; consequently 
the breeding of Blacks is mainly confined to old hands. 

We presume to say, that Black Wyandottes have appeared in 
many of th^e poultry yards the past decade, without causing any 
attention. That they are new to the fancy is true only in the sense 
of their not being brought to public notice before. Breeds made 
up of composite crosses, each element of color struggling in the 
combination for influence or mastery at each transmission of the 
collective elements, it is no wonder that some individual element of 
color takes precedence, or gains force to subdue, check or hold in 
abeyance other parts of the admixture, to triumph for awhile or for 
an indefinite period, if assisted by the breeder. Black is a very 
strong color, and will assert itself in any combination where it has 
equal quantity, whether it be in fowls or animals. 

We have no doubt about the Black Wyandottes holding their 
own in the show room, on the nest, or in the shambles. They are 
Wyandottes, and color will have little influence on their usefulness. 
Those who know Wyandottes by experience or reputation, will not 
hesitate to breed the Blacks, if at all friendly to dark breeds. Time 
will bring them to the front rank with their cousins; and every one 
interested in poultry will know that this family combination takes the 
lead for general usefulness and, we might say, beauty, too. Fanciers 
will hardly stop and be content when the Blacks take their place in 
the Standard roll; already there is a veteran at work perfecting a 
Golden Spangled variety of Wyandottes which, if we may judge by 
the specimen feathers sent us, will rival the Golden Spangled Ham- 



Black Wyandottes — Characteristics. 53 

burg or the Golden Spangled Polish in purity, richness and sheen 
of plumage. 

Yes, the originator of the Golden Wyandottes is trying his hand 
on a Spangled variety. Fanciers of a practical turn of mind will 
follow out the old saying, " We cannot have too much of a good 
thing," The American Poultry Association will hardly "kick" 
against a few more varieties of this class, seeing that the Polish has 
eight and the Hamburg six varieties. Surely a useful family like 
the Wyandottes need a good share of beauty, too, in order to please 
the fastidious amateurs, as well as those who desire usefulness and 
beauty combined. The Black with a rich, metallic sheen, like that 
on a well-bred Langshan or Black Hamburg, will not be the least 
among the great and popular varieties, as close competition will 
stimulate their breeders to make every effort to improve them in 
usefulness and beautify them for ornamentation. 

There is no doubt that the Blacks will be on the roll of honor 
when the Standard will be open for reception of new breeds, because 
every member of the American Poultry Association knows that a 
Black variety in the Wyandotte family was possible any day since 
the advent of the Silvers. We are sure, too, that no pains will be 
spared to make them worthy of Standard recognition, as there will 
be no need of spurious manufacture, as was the case in many 
instances when the Whites were booming. It is in the breeders' 
own hands to build up or tear down this promising variety, and it is 
near time that they should come to an amicable and harmonious 
agreement on the color of legs and some other minor points, so 
they can make a standard, and submit it for approval or correction, 
and for the best interests of the variety. 

The beginner will have comparatively easy lessons in breeding 
the Blacks or Whites. People of sesthetic taste often wonder at the 
different tastes of breeders ; one choosing this, and one choos- 
ing that, breed or variety. It has ever been the same way, and, in 
all probability, it will ever continue as in the past, as it is a part of 
our nature, and necessary to our existence, comfort and happiness. 
Some will always be found ready to pick up the first new breed that 
is announced, while others cannot be weaned from the "old relia- 
bles," and more, will look with distrust on every new comer, and 
venture to prophesy a short life for it; and there are some who are 
jealous of every acquisition to our native stock, and growl about 
admitting any more to our Standard list, for fear they will draw 
patronage from their own favorite breeds. 



54 



Wyandottes. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Some enterprising breeders have submitted a standard for 
Black Wyandottes, to those interested, for approval and correction. 
These standards are good enough substantially, so far as they go, 
but, as they do not voice the sentiments of all interested in the 
variety, they are, in a manner, useless to breeders, owing to the 
uncertainty of leg color, and disqualifying clauses on under-color 
and white in plumage. We are met by the same obstacles in giving 
a detailed description of the variety, and, of course, no standard 
would be reliable but that made under authority of the American 
Poultry Association. It is certain, however, that the description 
will be uniform with the other three varieties, and the only difference 
will be that relating to color of plumage, color of legs, and, also, the 
clause in disqualification, as mentioned before. 

The precedent that, practically, every black variety in the 
Standard has dark shanks, and that two, at least, of said varieties 
have had yellow legs, and, in the course of their breeding, it was 
found fruitful of many serious obstacles and faults, will be taken 
into consideration, and, although every lover of Wyandottes would 
rather see the Blacks have yellow legs than dark ones, the best 
interests of the variety, so far as breeding with better results, will 
have much weight against yellow legs. The standard for Black 
Leghorn legs is the one most likely to be adopted. 

The Male. 

In a general way, we will say to those who have no stand- 
ard, and meditate breeding Black Wyandottes, that the plumage 
should be a rich glossy black throughout, and preferable if it has 
that metallic lustre and beetle sheen, so much admired in well-bred 
Langshans. The head, short, crown broad and somewhat flat; 
beak, dark horn color, shading to yellow at the point; eyes, bright 
bay, large and clear; face, red; ear-lobes, bright red, and well 
developed; comb, rose, low, top oval, and covered with points or 
corrugations, terminating in a small spike which curves to the shape 
of skull; wattles, bright red, medium length, and pendant; neck, 
short, arched, and hackle abundant; back, short, flat and broad at 
shoulders; saddle, broad, full, and rising with a concave sweep to 
tail; breast, broad, full and round; body, short, deep and round at 
the sides; fluff, full and abundant; wings, medium size, and neatly 
folded; tail, well developed, and well spread at base; sickles, 



Black Wyandottes — Description. 55 

medium length and gracefully curved; legs, short and stout at 
thighs, and well covered with soft feathers; shanks, short, stout and 
free from feathers, and in color yellow or yellowish black; toes, 
straight, well spread, and in color the same as shanks. 

The Female. 

The plumage should be a rich, deep black throughout; head, 
short, crown broad and somewhat flat; beak, dark horn color, shading 
to yellow at the point; eyes, bright bay, large and clear; face, red; 
ear-lobes, bright red, and well developed; comb, rose, and similar 
in form and curve to that of the male, but smaller; wattles, bright 
red, medium length and well rounded; neck, short, arched, and 
hackle abundant; back, short, flat and broad across shoulders, and 
slightly cushioned; breast, broad, full and round; body, short, deep, 
and round at the sides; fluff, full, soft and abundant; wings, medium 
size, and neatly folded; tail, well developed, and well spread at base; 
legs and toes, the same as in male. 

Remarks. 

One cannot give a complete list of the disqualifying clauses, on 
account of not knowing what the standard will enforce by its judg- 
ment on the color of legs. However, we can approximately judge 
that it will not be far from the following : Disqualifications. — Feath- 
ers on shanks or toes; permanent white or yellow covering more 
than one-third of the surface of ear-lobes; combs other than rose, 
or falling decidedly over on one side, or so large as to obstruct 
sight; decidedly wry tails; crooked backs or other abnormal 
deformity; shanks other than yellow, yellowish black, or black 
shading to willow; feathers tipped or spotted one-half with false 
color on any part of plumage; presence of any false color to be cut 
severely. 

The standard weights are the same as for other Wyandotte 
varieties. The scale of points for judging this variety should be the 
same as for Whites. A few more years of intelligent breeding will 
remove some of the defects now apparent. The chief trouble is, 
that white appears in primaries and secondaries in the females, and 
white feathers and silver hackles and saddles, and white in wing-bar, 
in the males. These, in time, will be lessened by judicious breed- 
ing and culling, as will also white in under-color. 

It is not to be expected that the Blacks will produce a large 
percentage of salable birds at present, as the pullets usually come 



56 Wyandottes. 

solid black with black beaks, dark combs and faces, and, also, black 
shanks and toes, with the bottom of the feet yellow. The reversion 
to the Silver variety is more apparent in the cockerels, and they are 
less certain in plumage; white shows very frequently in places above 
named, and also in tail. Improvement, at best, is of slow growth, 
but there is a determination among Black Wyandotte breeders to 
conquer existing faults, and make their favorite variety second to 
none in richness of plumage and intrinsic qualities. 

Much of the future success of this variety, depends upon har- 
mony and united action of their breeders, in bringing them before the 
people in a presentable condition, which can be depended on to be 
maintained in their breeding. The standard should not be too arbi- 
trary on the color of legs, and judges should not provoke or increase 
obstacles to their cultivation, by dealing too severely with them in 
the show-room. But, whilst admitting a certain policy of leniency 
towards the Blacks, for the present, their breeders must not cease in 
their endeavors to obtain a pure, glossy black plumage and pure 
yellow leg, which is so strikingly handsome. 

MATING AND JUDGING. 

Little need be said on mating solid black or white fowls, if their 
physical qualities are faultless, or as near perfection, in vigor 
and health, as can readily be obtained. This secured, color is the 
next object of importance, and, in Black Wyandottes, metallic black 
should be the ideal for both sexes, and not sooty or dead black, 
lacking in intensity of color, brightness, hardness and smoothness 
of finish and lustre. In black varieties there is little to do beyond 
these two distinctions in color, and each mating must tend to 
establish this richness of plumage. ' 

It is best, at all times, to mate metallic black males and females 
together, but, if one is limited in breeding stock, he must make the 
best use he can of others. If the male's plumage is a rich, lustrous 
black, and that of the female dead or sooty black, most of the pullets 
will come in fair plumage, much richer than that of the dam, but 
the cockerels will be inferior to the sire in hardness, smoothness and 
polish. The union of a metallic black male and a dead black female 
will, in time, restore the color, and improve and beautify it, if a 
skillful selection of the progeny be made, and put with those of the 
black metallic mating. 

There may be a disposition to mate males with white in wing or 
tail — otherwise good — to prime colored females, in the hopes of 



Black Wyandottes — Mating and Judging. 57 

securing first-class birds, and running chances of getting some with- 
out the objectionable white. This is a very injudicious policy, as 
the white is bred into the stock, and will "crop out" now and then, 
if not in every brood. Present expediency should never be at- 
tempted, when everything shows that it is going to work injury for 
years in the breeding fowls, not only in the yards of the one who 
has caused this injury, but, also, in the breeding fowls of those who 
unfortunately purchased some of his stock. 

" Make haste slowly " is a good maxim to follow in cultivating 
new varieties. The " almighty dollar " has such weight and influence 
over the flexible conscience of some breeders, that they will not take 
time, nor put themselves to any unnecessary expense or trouble, in 
obtaining a male or female which would be free from such objec- 
tionable points, and, if granted that such birds are '* few and far 
between," at least, they have it in their power to wait until the 
variety has been bred long enough to remove such defects as would 
disqualify them in the show-room, and not breed a disqualified male 
in the hopes of procuring a Standard offspring. 

Judging. — On this point the defects are, sooty black or dead 
black color of plumage; white in hackles, wings and tail; white in 
under-color; dusky shanks, feet and toes. Sometimes gray appears 
in hackles, back and breast, and those males which show bright 
yellow legs (supposing yellow is the standard color) are almost 
invariably troubled with white in tail, and sometimes in hackle, too. 
Of course, such defects often appear in old varieties, but these are 
exceptions, as a rule, and it is to be expected, in the course of time, 
that Black Wyandottes will breed as true to color as other black 
varieties. The scale of points for judging this variety should be the 
same as for whites, as already mentioned, and the degree of defects 
from a rich glossy black is to be cut accordingly. In all other sec- 
tions, aside from color, the defects in each will be the same as 
in other varieties, consequently, the cut for each defect will be the 
same as already scored in the laced birds; all must conform to one 
standard, and all defects must be judged alike. 




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PART FOURTH. 



White Wyandottes. 



ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 

There seems to be a well-founded opinion among poultrymen, 
that the White Wyandotte is taking the lead of its cousins. With 
the White Plymouth Rock starting in the race for popular favor, the 
friends of each variety having boomed and lauded them to the 
skies, the demand even exceeded the number of breeding fowls, 
and created a desire in some to take advantage of the demand, and 
cross Rose-Comb White Leghorns, White Dorkings, etc., on the 
Silvers, and, in some cases, on White Plymouth Rocks. This un- 
scrupulous and dishonorable means of putting in the market 
mongrels and spurious White Wyandottes, had a very bad effect, 
and would have blasted the hopes of many, had not some honest 
and enthusiastic breeders come to the rescue, and urged the forma- 
tion of a White Wyandotte club, and, at the same time, condemned 
those who were taking dishonest measures in the manipulation of 
this meritorious variety, which was able to stand on its own merits, 
when purely bred. 

The White Wyandotte is rapidly approaching reliability in the 
hands of experienced breeders; as near the ideal type and general 
comeliness of a Wyandotte, as we could reasonably expect of a new 
variety, while, at the same time, there are a number of breeders who 
have poor specimens coming into the world with each brood — living 
witnesses of their impurity. We think this is mainly due to undue 
haste, in buying up from different yards new strains, in order to have 
several breeding-pens at once to fill the demands and secure the prices 
— five to eight dollars a setting — and the anxiety of many to produce 
strains of their own, with, perhaps, only one bird of the variety to 
start with, disseminating through the country a miserable lot of 



6o Wyandottes. 

scrubs taking the name of White Wyandottes, the name being a 
passport to their sale and value. 

Those who watch the system of breeding thoroughbred fowls 
and animals, are not surprised at these periodic or spasmodic booms. 
Our ingenuity and enterprise must not rust for want of friction, nor 
will we accept the maxim that "true genius is ever modest." We 
rush at things without weighing the ultimate results; failure is un- 
known in our vocabulary, for, when we make a false step, we do not 
retire to examine the ground, and calculate on the obstacles before 
us, but we start on a new path, and manage to reach the objective 
point by the shortest road. Away back in the " fifties," we worked 
up a hen fever craze, which appears to have taken deep root in our 
soil, as it comes, like other contagious fevers, when our blood is 
morbid and sluggish and needs stirring up. Our English brethren 
do not have this fever with such virulence, but they have learned 
many of the Yankee tricks at manipulation; not in making new 
varieties, so much, but in working over old stock for the American 
market. 

We may take to ourselves much praise for producing the 
finest class of fowls known to the American or European poultry 
fancier. Indeed, it is hard to discriminate between the " Rocks " and 
" Dottes," as far as beauty and utility go. It is, perhaps, known to 
the amateur, that the White Wyandotte is one of the best, if not the 
best, of the American class, for every purpose. We know there are 
many enthusiastic admirers of this variety, who make very extrava- 
gant, and, indeed, ludicrous statements of their superiority in lay- 
ing, but it is pardonable on the part of those who sometimes con- 
tribute to their favorite poultry papers, an article on the variety or 
varieties they are breeding; so it is not the White Wyandotte, 
altogether, that receives all the fulsome adulation of an enthused 
amateur; every Standard breed is recorded, in cold type, the "best 
breed in the country." 

It is a mooted question who originated the White Wyandottes. 
The friends of Mr. Geo. H. Towle claim that he was breeding and 
improving the White Wyandotte in 1872, while the friends of Mr. B. 
M. Briggs, of Wyandale, N. Y., insist on his right of priority. A 
few others, too, modestly hint that they had " white sports " as early 
as those who are claiming the honor, but, on investigation, the 
credit is due to one or the other of these two gentlemen; the latter, 
however, having the first strain of pure-bred birds in a presentable 
condition, and this honor was conceded by the White Wyandotte 



White Wyandottes — History. 6i 

Club, when Mr. Briggs was elected as president and chairman of 
the committee on a standard for the variety. 

The White Wyandotte followed the Silver breed, and originated 
from "sports ;" therefore, are thoroughbreds, and not a cross-bred 
variety. They have all the distinctive characteristics of the original 
breed, and their own distinguishing color. It is certain that the 
pure Whites have shown a more pleasing type than either the 
Silvers or Goldens; that is, the young of the Whites usually de- 
velop to what judges deem an ideal for Wyandottes. " Silver 
King," being one of the best specimens, in type, of his race, has 
been accepted as an ideal by the club, and this will be a stimulant 
to White Wyandotte breeders to attain this type in their flocks; the 
living specimen being worth more to them than all the cuts and 
profiles of the variety put together. 

This type for the White Wyandottes is not only universally 
accepted, but is also universally commended for other Wyandotte 
varieties. A well-known writer voiced the sentiments of Wyandotte 
breeders, shortly after the Whites were admitted to the Standard : 
*' Type is to be one and the same for all, for we have all got to 
breed to that outline that the committee of breeders or the Wyandotte 
Club shall adopt. This is going to obviate all strain characteristics. 
* * * The cockerel exhibited by Mr. Croffut, of Binghamton, 
N. Y., was, by far, the best specimen that has yet been exhibited, 
and, surely, no better type could be secured to outline the entire race 
of Wyandottes. * * * They are now in the Standard, and, if a 
decided stand is taken to adopt a pure Wyandotte type, free from 
all Leghorn taint, and the breeders of them will guard jealously this 
type, they will, in a few years, be proud of this new acquisition. 
All new breeds suffer from a boom, for unprincipled men will sell 
eggs during such a boom that are not reliable, and the race has to 
live this evil down." 

A volume could be readily filled with testimonials of Wyandotte 
- breeders in commendation of this race, both for laying and market 
purposes ; while all agree that the laced and self-colored varieties 
are beautiful, comely and unique. It might be said of the Black 
and White varieties that their popularity is due to the Silver Laced 
breed, and that if there were no laced breed before them, they would 
be considered mediocre. There is no disputing the fact that these 
varieties have been boomed on the merits of the Laced, like the 
White Plymouth Rocks on the popularity of the Barred variety; but 
while conceding this, is it not equally a fact that these self-colored 



62 Wyandottes. 

varieties have proved themselves worthy members of the Wyandotte 
family in every point save color ? 

The spurious fowls representing White Wyandottes, and falling 
short of those qualities so highly commended in the laced birds, 
ought not militate against the pure bred fowl, any more than bad 
members of a congregation ought militate against the purity of the 
religion which they claim to represent. Self-interest is a strong 
passion in the average man, and when every inducement and oppor- 
tunity present themselves whereby he can turn a ready dollar to his 
own advantage by a little shrewdness, which suggests a choice be- 
tween honest and dishonest dealing, the latter is often taken to mean 
cuteness of ability, or taking advantage of another in a trade or sale. 

The Rev. F. H. Parsons writes of the White Wyandottes, in 
1887: "I am forced to the conclusion, from what I have bred, seen 
and learned by correspondence with breeders of White Wyandottes, 
that from stock strictly first class, birds can be raised that will be as 
uniform and give as many superior birds as the standard variety, 
and for the careless breeder better results will be found ; but if you 
have fine standard birds, be slow to give them up, expecting to get 
something very much superior. For general purposes there is little 
difference, the birds being almost identical in characteristics, but 
White are one-half pound short in weight, and here is found a tend- 
ency in unscrupulous breeders to use a White Wyandotte cockerel 
with Rose-Comb White Leghorn hens of large size, and sell the 
cross for White Wyandottes. They may suffer reproach in this way, 
for they are hard to detect, the ear-lobe being the surest test. They 
are deservedly popular and will in a few years be one of the leading 
farm fowls, as when dressed no colored pin feathers are seen; their 
bodies are good size and plump, with yellow skin and legs; matur- 
ing quickly and easy to raise, with a white plumage, and are but 
little trouble to mate, and breed well. ' The more I see of them the 
more I admire them,' is the universal testimony." 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

As egg producers and table fowl, the Whites are equal to the 
Laced. They have the same plump bodies, constitutional vigor, 
physical beauty, commanding carriage, standard points, and the 
only difference is the color. They can be used at an early age for 
broilers and roasters. The adult males will weigh from seven to 
eight pounds, and the females from six to seven pounds. These 



White Wyandottes — Characteristics. 6^ 

weights, in a comparatively short and clean-limbed fowl, indicate a 
solid, compact flesh former, with little offal. 

Although utility is the leading merit and strongest recommen- 
dation to all interested in poultry keeping, the Whites are also a 
clean cut and comely variety. This is associated with their useful- 
ness; and no breeder speaks of one without coupling it with the 
other, as, by common consent, they are pronounced a handsome 
variety of fowls. In the show-room or on the green lawn they are 
pretty and attractive. White breeds having been comparatively 
rare until the past decade, the color is always pleasing to the 
beholder, whether he breeds fowls or not; and the only reason that 
can be given now for the sudden change of mind in breeding and 
booming white varieties is, that they have become popular among 
the people, by reason of fanciers catering to the tastes of the masses. 
The rich, red comb, like a full blown rose, growing on the head, 
red face, ear-lobes and pendant wattles, contrasting with a white 
plumage and yellow legs, is both pleasing and attractive. 

White fowls have figured in ancient history and tradition. 
Plutarch informs us, that a white cock was always sacrificed to 
Anubis, the ruler of the upper world, and a saffron or brimstone 
colored cock to the same god, under the name Hermanubis, as ruler 
of the under world ; so in the Voluspa, the oldest part of the Edda, 
the golden-combed cock was the symbol of light chants in Valhalla, 
and the demoniac black cock in the halls of Hell; and popular 
legends made a similar distinction between the white, saffron, red 
and black cocks. 

In that wonderful work by Flaubert, "Salammbo," quoted in 
Burchard's " Volumen Decretorum," descriptive of the siege of 
Carthage, the author introduces the white and black cocks as indica- 
tive of the way in which they were then regarded. Speaking of the 
city, he says, that " The white cocks, consecrated to the sun, crowed 
on the terraces;" and in describing the priest Schababarim, says, 
that " with his face covered with a veil, and waving torches, he had 
cast a black cock on a fire of Sandarack, before the breast of the 
sphinx — father of the terror." 

The white plumage is much in favor of this variety for market 
purposes. The color does not make the flesh more tender, succu- 
lent, or better flavored, but it improves the appearance of the carcass 
when dressed; the pin feathers, being nearly the color of the flesh, 
are scarcely discernible. They have a nice yellow skin, a color 
highly prized by cooks and housekeepers and, of course, dealers in 



64 Wyandottes 

poultry. Outward appearance has much to do with making a favor- 
able impression, and if the mind be satisfied with such impressions, 
the taste usually becomes subservient to them, and defects are not 
criticised so closely. However, there is little cause for finding fault 
with the White Wyandottes on the score of nice flesh and toothsome 
eating, and though color of skin is of little value by itself, in close 
competition for general favor, every little advantage, magnified, 
counts in the long run. 

Like all new varieties, there is yet much to be perfected before 
the White can poise as an ideal fowl. Breeders must reject every 
poor specimen in their own yards, and reject every specimen which 
comes from unknown yards, and all which have not the character- 
istics of pure White Wyandottes. The White Wyandotte is a true 
Wyandotte in type, carriage, facial appendages, size, egg production, 
quality of flesh, general characteristics, and even the size and shade 
of eggs. Therefore, it behooves the reliable breeder to adhere 
closely to pure Wyandotte blood, encouraging the crossing of 
families from pure stock, and all join to perfect and establish this 
variety on a sure and solid foundation. When this will have been 
attained, the Whites will rapidly approach reliability, and it is 
certain that their breeders will be amply rewarded when the variety 
is, like Caesar's wife, "above suspicion." 

What Others Say. — Mr. I. K. Felch is unstinted in his 
praise of White Wyandottes, and reviews this variety when com- 
paratively young : " At no time has there been such apparent 
appreciation of a breed, as has signalized that for the White Wyan- 
dottes, many families coming positively white in plumage, while 
their peculiar shape is fine for the broiler, being a plump chick from 
the age of four weeks old upwards. There is no moment of its life 
when it is not a fit broiler under four months old, nor that it is not 
a nice roaster up to seven months of age; it is just simply a matter 
of size. Even at five weeks old they broil into a plump, quail-like 
shape, and, broiled on toast, are much in flavor like Squall de 
i)oulerd; ' they will often take the place of the genuine article, many 
a time with perfect satisfaction to the epicure, while waiting for the 
open season for that bird. We have tried them, and must say that 
a fat five-weeks-old White Wyandotte chicken, broiled on toast, is 
one of the greatest luxuries of the poultry-yard. The white plumage 
makes the poultry look clean and nice ; no black disfigurement 
caused by dark pin feathers. Then, for beauty in the show-pen, tell 
us of a more beautiful sight. * * * Surely, there is exhibition 



White Wyandottes — Characteristics. 65 

merit here, and beauty enough to satisfy any lover of the fowl race. 
This breed is fast becoming a producer of brown eggs of fair size; 
the demand for brown eggs is doing more to protect them from 
Leghorn crosses, than all other efforts put together. We bespeak 
for them a large share of popular favor, and, from the ranks of 
all lovers of poultry who are forced to make their selections from 
the breeds that do the best toward paying a profit, they will make 
no mistake in their affections for, and the keeping of, a flock of 
White Wyandottes." 

Mr. J. H. Drevenstedt says: "As to table qualities, we know 
by the voice of our customers that the Wyandotte is preferred. We 
except nothing but the Houdan-Brahma cross, which is une.xcelled 
for the table, but not attractive for market. Brahmas are excellent 
when nearly full grown, but do not dress as plump and nice when 
young, as the Wyandottes or Plymouth Rocks. As broilers, the 
latter are certainly excellent, but a recent trial with White Leghorns 
convinces us that this little breed is of unusual value for early 
broilers, and we are indebted to P. H. Jacobs for this suggestion. 
For spring chickens, sold in late summer and fall, we claim the 
Wyandotte the best of all. They will dress six to seven pounds, 
and carry more lean meat on breast and back, and have less offal, 
than any other American breed. The Plymouth Rock is inclined 
to fatten too readily, and a two-year-old Rock is a lump of fat, and 
can be compared to the Essex breed of hogs — fine and sleek, but a 
lard deposit. The Wyandotte is, among fowls, what the Berkshire is 
among swine. It is the Dorking of America. Improve these table 
qualities, and the already superior laying qualities, by constant and 
proper selection, and we Wyandotte breeders need look no further 
for a better fowl. Being a strong admirer of this breed, and 
thoroughly satisfied with its superiority, we simply put in our protest 
to Mr. S.'s statements, and trust that neither he nor other breeders 
will consider their favorites unjustly criticised, as it is far from our 
intention to disparage the claims of other meritorious breeds." 

Mr. J. Penfold Field, author of " The Wyandotte Fowl," a small 
English work referred to before, says : " In my own yards I have 
many Wyandottes that have never become broody, and it would be 
an easy matter, if one desired it, to produce a non-sitting strain. 

" They are par excellence the farmer's fowls, and it is really a 
pity to note how very few the farms are on which they exist; and I 
am doubtful if it will not be years before farmers take any appreciable 
notice of them. 



66 Wyandottes. 

" It is a fact worth noticing that, after all the years the Plymouth 
Rock has been in this country, the British farmer is only just 
awakening to the merits of that variety. Let us hope for a quicker 
and better future for 'our pets.' 

"For quick growth and early maturity, they are only beaten by 
the Leghorn. This point, alone, is a very great consideration in a 
monetary sense. 

" As egg-producers, they are better than many of the non-sitting 
breeds, the average being fully 170 eggs per annum, and some thirty 
odd hens, in the season of 1887-8, averaged 180, the Whites showing 
a little ahead of the Silvers. I have kept Minorcas, Red Caps, 
Andalusians and Leghorns, all at the same time, and under similar 
conditions, and I can only truly say that the latter have beaten 
them. A few Andalusians I found equal to the Leghorns, but the 
greater number made an inferior show. In days gone by the An- 
dalusian laid extremely well, but I am afraid that, through the 
system of breeding adopted, its useful qualities are lost, with the 
exception of a very few strains. 

'* The Minorca and the Red Cap, although very fair layers, I 
never found equal to what has been claimed for them, and they are 
assuredly no better than the Wyandotte." 

The author has appended a foot note after the preceding para- 
graph, as follows: " Mr. Charles G. Baker, writing of Silvers and 
Goldens, says, ' I have kept a good many sorts in my time, and I 
never kept better layers all the year round, and they are a good table 
fowl of a nice flavor.' " 

Concerning IV/nye Wyandoties, the Rev. Harold Burton, who 
makes them a specialty, writes: " I know they are very good layers; 
they run wild on unlimited grass, go just where they like, and are 
only fed when let out in the morning and shut up at night; I am 
well pleased with them as useful, all round fowls, capital eating, 
excellent layers, first rate sitters and mothers, hardy, cheap to keep, 
tame and gentle to handle, yet lively and active; very pretty, too." 

Breeders are almost unanimous in declaring " It is the finest all 
round fowl ever yet seen; an unequaled egg producer among the 
sitting varieties; unsurpassed as a table bird for rapidity of growth 
and quality of its meat; small boned, plump and not overwhelmed 
with noxious fat, and one that, with proper treatment, is always 
ready, even for a connoisseur's table, without any system of artificial 
fattening. Moreover, it is hardy, easily reared, and is the breed of 
all others from which to select hens for hatching and raising chick- 



White Wyandottes — Description. 67 

ens. No hens will sit steadier or become more quiet and careful 
mothers than the Wyandottes." 

DESCRIPTION. 

The White Wyandotte is a self-colored variety, and must con- 
form to the standard for other varieties of the breed, save color. 
The American standard for judging White Wyandottes is accepted 
by the English Club. 

The Male. — The head is short and broad on crown; plumage 
pure white; eyes, comb, ear-lobes, face and wattles the same as other 
Wyandotte varieties; the beak is yellow. 

Neck, is the same in form and arch; plumage, pure white. 
Back, short and broad, like the Laced varieties; plumage, pure white. 
Breast, full and round; plumage, pure white. Body, the same as in 
other varieties; plumage, pure white. Fluff, full, abundant and 
downy-like. Wings, medium size and pure white in color. Tail, 
the same as in other varieties of the breed and white in color. Legs 
and toes, the same as in the Laced fowls; color of legs, bright 
yellow. 

The Female. — The head is short and broad on crown; plum- 
age, pure white; eyes, comb, ear-lobes, face and wattles the same 
as in the Laced varieties; the beak is yellow. 

Neck, is the same in form and arch; plumage, pure white. 
Back, short and broad; plumage, pure white. Breast, full and 
round; plumage, pure white. Body, the same as in Laced; plumage, 
pure white. Fluff, the same. Wings, medium size and pure white 
in color. Tail, the same as in other Wyandotte varieties, and white 
in color. Legs and toes, the same as in the Laced variety; color 
of legs, bright yellow. 

Standard weights are the same as for other varieties. 

Disqualifications are the same throughout, except the last 
clause, which should be, " feathers other than white in any part 
of the plumage." 

Remarks. 

It may seem unjust that the White Wyandottes should be sub- 
ject to like cuts, and the same points allotted in the various sections 
with the Laced varieties, as there is no marking to breed for; but on 
second consideration, the breeder will find that this is meant to do 
justice to all, without giving special advantage to one variety above 
the other. At first one is apt to overlook that the Whites fail in color 



68 Wyandottes. 

from the expressed term of the standard— /«r<? white — and this fail- 
ing almost always extends to under-color. We forget that this 
variety has a yellow skin, as well as yellow legs, and that this yellow 
pigment is strong enough to dye certain portions of the plumage 
yellow, straw, or reddish, which comes more or less on the surface 
of the greater number of this variety. 

The color faults consist in the shadings from pure white to yel- 
low. If we are to have pure White Wyandottes, we do not want 
them with yellow or bleached plumage. A sunburnt plumage is not 
a yellow one, and a bleached plumage is not a pure white one. Per- 
fection of color is just as much of a desideratum, and should be as 
highly prized as shades, pencilings, lacings and barrings in a parti- 
colored variety. Whites should be much easier to breed, and should 
come truer to type than the Laced varieties; but even with this 
advantage^and the fact of many females scoring two or three points 
higher than the other varieties, and also some of the males gaining 
a point or two over their cousins, we must cut in accordance with 
the value of pure white. The straw, or reddish brick color, will 
show upon the surface of neck, back, primaries, secondaries and 
sickles, and the cuts in each section will range from one-half to one 
and a half points. 

In some strains, the frequency of yellow quills is so prevalent 
that it seems to be " dyed in the wool," or, in other words, constitu- 
tional. Such serious faults may be so aggravated that dark color 
may show in both wings, to disqualify the specimen. Notwithstand- 
ing the advantages of a self-colored variety like the Whites, the 
yellow shading on neck will be cut one-half to two points; on back, 
one-half to two points; on breast, one-half to one point; on body, 
one-half to one point; on wings, yellow feather one-half point, yellow 
shading and quills one-half to three points; on tail, yellow in webs 
one-half to one and a half points, in quills one-half to two points; 
in legs and feet, other than yellow, or faded from bright yellow, one- 
half to three points. Thus it is seen that these possible cuts will 
reduce the number of specimens which the casual observer, or 
young amateur, thinks worthy of a much higher score than their 
Laced cousins, and the number of Whites which will score over 91 
or 92 honest points, will not be so large as one would expect from 
a self-colored variety. 

Every breeder of white fowls with yellow legs and skin, knows 
the difficulty of breeding them with pure white plumage; some con- 
tend that a " blossomy white " plumage cannot be maintained on 



White Wyandottes — Mating and Judging. 69 

such varieties except at the expense of health and close confine- 
ment under shade. If these obstacles did not exist, there would be 
no incentive to the exercise of skill, and white varieties would always 
be the winning birds. What is usually pronounced white, may be 
severely cut for the absence of the shade of white which judges 
deem pure. Mr. Felch says: " In all living shades of white, oil and 
white-lead paint is a good standard, cutting for shading as white 
till it becomes yellow, when the plumage becomes foreign to the 
breed. The exception to this is when plumage becomes burned by 
the sun and weather. This can be determined by lifting the plum- 
age and seeing what it is where it has not been exposed, and to see 
if the quills are yellow also. If the quill be yellow where not 
exposed, we must consider that the sun is not the whole cause of 
the foreign color." This is a very practical illustration and one 
that can be easily kept in mind. White fowls should have plenty of 
shade trees on their runs, as exposure to a blistering sun and neglect 
of selection in the breeding pens, would eventually change the plum- 
age from pure white to cream color, light buff, yellow or straw color; 
and we would be safe in saying that they would in time revert to 
the pristine color of the ancestors, 

MATING AND JUDGING. 

As there is only one color to select from in a flock of White 
Wyandottes, after fine shape, vigorous constitution, sound limbs and 
standard head and appendages, one must look to the purity of the 
white and its richness in gloss as an indication of rich blood and 
sound health. A pale white, like the lily, without sun and light, 
should be avoided. The male having a richer, deeper or stronger 
tinge to his plumage, though it be white, black or buff, will transmit 
the purity or impurity of his color, as a rule, in a greater degree 
than the female with which he is mated; so it behooves the breeder 
to look sharply at color and not mate anything but white, both in 
web and shaft. If this cannot be obtained in the females, too, and 
they show yellowish tinge and yellow quills, the male must be white. 
It will not be proper mating to put together males and females with 
yellow on surface or quill, bad as it is to be obliged to use one or 
the other with a mate whose plumage is white to counteract the 
yellow; but when males and females are faulty in color, it is out of 
the question to expect pure white plumage in the offspring. The 
female progeny, from an opposite mating, coming all white, may be 



70 Wyandottes. 

used with a pure white male, but there is no dependence on the 
males from such a mating. 

As we have already mentioned the defects in color and the 
usual cuts for the same, the want of space will not permit us to take 
up the question again. We hope that our suggestions have been 
sufficiently full and clear to assist the amateur fancier in mating and 
judging, as all the hints expressed or implied on the Laced varieties, 
can with profit be taken and applied to the self-colored varieties. 



PREPARING WYANDOTTES FOR EXHIBITION. 



Since the era of poultry shows, many exhibitors wash and other- 
wise prepare their birds so that they will attract the eye of the judge, 
show to better advantage and score higher, by being in a more pre- 
sentable condition. This practice originated in England, and it was 
found in some cases necessary, owing to so much smoke from coal, 
which entirely blackened the plumage of white fowls raised in cities. 
A clean plumage, face, comb, wattles and legs, look pleasing to 
judge and observer, and make a favorable impression in comparison 
judging. 

A fowl needs to be in good health to show a rich plumage, and 
when in good condition of flesh, without being fat, the plumage is 
more abundant. The severity of our winters, just about the time 
of our exhibitions, has deterred many exhibitors from washing their 
show birds for fear of their taking cold and bringing on roup during 
exhibition. The process is simple enough, when properly done; 
but in the case of white or light colored birds, it requires more 
care, skill and patience. 

The best way to remove dirt and stains from the plumage is by 
clean, white or transparent soap, that is free from much alkali. 
Have two tubs in readiness, one larger than the other, and fill the 
smaller one with about three inches of warm water; cut up for one 
bird about half a pound of white soap, and make a strong lather in 
the tub; stand the bird in the lather and wash it, using a softish 
hair brush, and your hand ; thoroughly brush and cleanse the 
feathers everywhere, making sure that your strokes are downwards, 
from head to tail, and not up and down, as that would ruffle the 
feathers. This done, having prepared warm water in the larger tub, 
dip the bird in and out, and at the same time stroke the feathers 
down, to get out every vestige of the suds. If the shanks are very 



72 Wyandottes. 

dirty between the scales, it may be necessary to use a nail or old 
tooth brush to cleanse them. When the feathers are perfectly free 
of soap, take a can of lukewarm water, with a little bluing in it 
to give it color, and pour it over the bird, drain and dry as quickly 
as possible, using a towel and then the brush, to smooth and arrange 
the feathers; turning the bird all the while around to the open fire 
or open grate of the stove, so that it will dry quickly. It must not, 
however, be too close to the fire, as it might crisp or curl the feath- 
ers. The bluing can be dispensed with when there is no white fowl 
to be washed. 

The hand and brush must finish the work; the legs and head 
briskly rubbed with a little alcohol, and, while the bird is still damp, 
give it a little brandy or whiskey in a teaspoonful of water, to revive 
and prevent it taking cold. As the bird dries and fluffs out, gradu- 
ally draw away from the fire; leave the birds all night in a warm 
kitchen, but, when dry, feed them some stimulating food. Bathe 
the legs next day with a mixture of alcohol and olive oil, as it will 
freshen, brighten and keep the skin from cracking. 

Next day place them in their own preparing pen, with several 
•inches of cut rye straw, into which scatter wheat for them to scratch 
and get agreeable exercise; let them rest one or two days before 
their journey, lest they take cold on sudden exposure. Hard feath- 
ered and parti-colored breeds do not need as much washing as White 
Wyandottes, White Plymouth Rocks and White Cochins. Both the 
washing room and sleeping apartment need agreeable warmth to 
avoid risk of taking cold during and after the operation. When the 
plumage is dry, a second brushing and combing of the feathers may 
be necessary. 

Of course, it is understood that the birds intended for exhibi- 
tion should be fed on certain kinds of food for several weeks to get 
them in proper condition. A mess of barley and buckwheat for 
breakfast; vegetables, boiled rice and milk, with a handful of brown 
sugar stirred in, or corn meal pudding and milk for dinner; a hand- 
ful of hemp seed and sunflower seed for three or four hens or cock- 
erels in the afternoon, and late in the evening a supper of sound 
wheat and corn. 



PART FIFTH. 



Management, Care and Feeding. 



MANAGEMENT. 

"Nothing succeeds like success" is a true saying, and nothing 
is of greater importance to the beginner than the knack of good 
n:ianagement, coupled with industry. It is well that every poultry- 
man should know that good management is as much needed in the 
pursuit of poultry keeping as it is in any other namable business. 
Do not think, for a moment, that poultry culture is too small or too 
trifling to not need management; for if you do, and allow your fowls 
to manage themselves according to their own " sweet will," you 
will be sure to get small returns from them, while they will be a 
source of much expense in houses, appurtenances and feed. 

But, you may ask, what is this management you lay so much 
stress on ? Management has a wide signification, and which we 
must summarize here. It consists, when one makes up his mind to 
engage in poultry culture for profit, to slowly, deliberately and 
cautiously think over his love and adaptation for such business; the 
size and situation of his place; whether there would be necessity for 
keeping his fowls constantly confined on account of close neighbors 
or other causes; the proximity to a city, or good market by railroad, 
not far away, and the well studied and best liked choice, whether to 
breed high class thoroughbreds for fancy prices, or graded or cross- 
bred fowls for market. 

If one prefers thoroughbreds, it is good management to start 
with a prime, healthy and salable breed, one that he likes and would 
take much interest in, and give them the proper care needed. If 
his choice is to cater to the open market, and to supply hotels, res- 



74 Wyandottes. 

taurants and private families, it is good management to start with 
such breeds as will be first class layers and fir^t class table fowls, in 
order to supply customers with fresh eggs and fowl flesh regularly. 
Wyandottes are eminently adapted for both purposes. There 
is not a breed or family in the Standard that is more popular at 
present. The fancier is sure of ready sale and fair prices, as there 
is a large field to be supplied, and they are growing in public favor 
as they are growing older. The Whites stand at the head for table 
use, either as broilers or roasters, and the addition of a flock of 
White Leghorns would complete a select stock for market. 

Good management is seen in the situation, site, make, plainness 
and internal arrangements of the fowl houses and runs. It is seen 
in whether one could utilize the runs for vegetables, fruit trees, vines 
or berries every second year by using double runs, or annually by 
single ones. It is seen in the internal arrangements of the fowl 
houses, for divisions and sleeping places; each small flock of a dozen 
forming a little colony by themselves. It is seen in the arrange- 
ment of laying nests, baths, sitting places, and nurseries for early 
broods. It is seen in the ability for making contracts for eggs and 
fowls throughout the year, and in filling such contracts. It is seen 
in the system of packing eggs when cheap and making sales when 
dear. It is seen in the purchasing of grain, roots and vegetables 
from farmers early in the fall when they are cheap, or, better yet, if 
one could raise the different kinds of food for his stock without buy- 
ing them. It is seen in taking advantage of the markets when prices 
rule high, and in having broods mature for a succession of eggs, or 
in a stage of development for sale early or late in the season, when 
there is no glut of fowls or eggs in market; and, lastly, it is seen in 
the system, regularity and punctuality of doing business. 

Now in the matter of thoroughbred culture, all the foregoing 
qualities are essential in the fancier, and in the carrying out of his 
business. In addition, he should have a good knowledge of the 
characteristics of the breed he cultivates, and the most judicious 
ways of breeding, feeding and raising prime, young stock for sale; 
and the most judicious way of selling them to good advantage early 
in the fall, so as to avoid building extra quarters and feeding a 
large surplus stock through the winter and endangering their health. 
Good management is seen in judicious advertising. Not that one 
should advertise in every poultry publication, but in one or more 
well established and first class journals, like the Monthlv, which 
has a large and bona fide circulation. The advertising should not 



Management, Care and Feeding. 75 

be spasmodic — now and then, when trade is lively, but steady adver- 
tising while in business; not necessarily occupying large space, but 
neat, to the point, and truthful in all respects. Honesty in dealing, 
doing as you wish to be done by; making no false statements; keep- 
ing first class stock and selling at fair prices, according to quality, 
will eventually bring success and establish a name for reliability. 

CARE. 

Attention to Details. — To attain high rank as a breeder and 
success as a business man, one must give attention to details. We 
remember that success is not accidental, but is attained after years 
of good management, industry and attention to business. The 
amateur does not usually think over the obstacles before him, and 
complacently looks at the success which crowns the efforts of vet- 
eran fanciers in a different light, and attributes this success not to 
the labors of years or close attention to business, but rather to the 
luck of breeding some popular varieties and of bringing them prom- 
inently before the people. 

What is the object of keeping poultry if one does not attend to 
their wants and get something in return for his care, time and out- 
lay ? Some start out with good intentions, but never put them in 
practice. What is the use of buying first class stock and neglect 
them afterwards ? All our improved breeds must be kept up to the 
highest condition year after year, or they will deteriorate more 
rapidly than they have improved. We may say, we are fond of 
fowls, like to see them around us, and all that, but when it comes 
to feeding and caring for them regularly, making their quarters com- 
fortable and clean, we are apt to become careless and shamefully 
allow the poor birds to suffer from hunger and disease through our 
negligence. 

Economy. — There is nothing like economy in the transaction 
of business, as it makes up for many little drawbacks of the head 
and hand in our efforts through life. It bridges the gulf which 
divides poverty and wealth, and aids the inexperienced poulterer to 
raise fowls without wasting food, and in making use of different 
kinds of food by mixing and cooking, saving the most costly by 
substituting other kinds better adapted for fowls. It curbs imagina- 
tive ideas of profit and expenditure, and its practice is usually 
rewarded by a sure and safe living on the earnings or profits of 
one's pursuit. 

Economy and good management will prop the poultryman up 



76 Wyandottes. 

when at the point of staggering from other causes. It will be a vast 
help to him in the absence of experience. It will suggest to him 
that old fowls are not profitable, that the days of their usefulness 
have passed, and that the longer they are kept the worse they will 
be getting and the greater the bill of expense. If you want to make 
a profit on fowl stock, keep no hen after she passes her third year, 
except she is an extraordinarily well marked bird, or has some other 
valuable quality; and if breeding for market, two-year old hens 
should be fattened and sold in the fall before moulting. If one 
labors to procure means of support and something to lay by for old 
age or pressing necessity, it is a poor plan to keep a lot of old hens 
which lay one day and rest six; which have not enough ambition to 
lose sight of the corn crib; which, as a rule, are diseased in some 
way; are lousy and lazy, with huge bunches on their legs, or bag- 
ging down behind from fat or old tumors in the oviduct, and whose 
flesh would be as tough as that of a rhinoceros. 

Care has much to do with making fowls profitable and also 
improving their looks. No one should take on himself the respon- 
sibility and guardianship of fowls without giving them needed care. 
Food will give nourishment, repair the wastes of the system, enrich 
the blood, furnish the material for eggs and nutriment for growth 
and flesh; but if the birds be neglected, have poor and illy venti- 
lated quarters, damp and unclean sleeping places or yards, the 
quantity or quality of the food fed to them will not counteract the 
effects of bad care. Care, however, does not imply that they should 
be stuffed like a bolster, or coddled by over zeal or mistaken kind- 
ness; care is that which bestows with a kind hand an adequate sup- 
ply for their wants. 

Cleanliness. — This is the most important duty in the routine 
of care, and we cannot too strongly impress its observance on the 
breeder. It matters not how good the stock may be in the beginning, 
how well they may be fed, if scrupulous cleanliness be not observed, 
all goes for nothing. There is no dodging or avoiding the effects 
of uncleanliness ; all the condition powders, elixirs, or chicken 
nostrums in existence cannot keep a flock of fowls in good health 
and laying condition while they eat, scratch, wallow and remain day 
or night in a foul smelling house and " up to their knees " in their 
own fetid droppings. If one has a heart in the right place, and is a 
lover of cleanliness and tidiness, he will not allow filth to accumulate 
in the houses or runs. Many a sickly hen, many which have ceased 
laying, and many an emaciated and piping chicken, can lawfully 



Management, Care and Feeding. 77 

curse uncleanliness for the lice and constitutional diseases which it 
has brought on. 

Exercise. — This may seem of little importance to the young 
beginner, and yet, it is essential to health. Inertness will favor 
obesity, and obesity is antagonistic to fecundity. Fowls which do 
not take proper exercise, will decrease in egg production, and no 
dependence can be placed on them as stock-getters. In cold 
weather, and when being confined, exercise is doubly necessary, as 
it stirs the blood to a freer circulation, strengthens the muscles, 
gives a healthy appetite, draws away their attention from feather 
plucking and egg eating, and improves all their physical qualities. 
Nature has designed more or less exercise for every organic thing, 
in order to promote endurance, hardiness, development, keen ap- 
petite, good health and fecundity. 

Overcrowding. — The evils of overcrowding fowls in houses 
or runs are greater than the average breeder is aware of. Fowls 
will not bear to be crowded; it matters not how thrifty they may be 
in small flocks, when massed, they will show, by their looks and 
decrease of egg production, the effects of overcrowding. The males 
will lose their natural vigor and sexual propensities, and the females 
will become pale, dumpish and sickly. The affluvia from their 
feathers and digestive channels mix with the air they breathe, and, 
this repeated every moment during day and night, poisons the 
blood, and lays the foundation of cholera and other dangerous dis- 
eases. Vermin are also to be dreaded in a filthy and overcrowded 
hennery, and, if you value your fowls, and your reputation, never 
overcrowd your houses, or you will be the sufferer. Cleanliness will 
do a great deal to avert rapid decimation, but it cannot save all, and 
there is nothing more certain than that sickness, death, lice and de- 
crease of eggs will follow the massing of a large number of fowls in 
one place. 

HATCHING AND REARING OF CHICKENS. 

Most all beginners in chicken culture think this is simple, and 
needs no previous experience. They begin with the assurance that 
there is no knack in making a nest, depositing eleven or thirteen 
eggs, and placing a broody hen over them. The hen becomes 
broody of her own accord, and will set three weeks if not disturbed; 
the chicks will come out in due time, and thoroughbreds will repro- 
duce themselves, so it does not matter whether one is skilled or not, 
the chicks come all the same. A little cornmeal dough in the 



78 Wyanuottes. 

beginning, and, later on, cracked corn and wheat, so that, as the 
chicks grow older they will be able to provide partly for them- 
selves, and partake of the fare given to old fowls. 

Hatching. — Such ideas as the above are common to novices. 
It is advisable to save the eggs from your best laying hens, in 
preference to those laid by pullets Select the largest and best 
shaped of the medium-sized eggs, those with a smooth shell and fresh 
looking in color. When one of your hens manifests a desire to sit, 
after remaining on the nest when her companions go to roost, put a 
nest egg under her and allow her freedom to act. If she proves 
true to her duty, make a nest in a secluded place away from other 
hens, fashion the nest and surroundings as much like the old one 
as possible, and move her at night quietly and tenderly, with the 
nest egg. If she shows business on the new nest after a day, she 
may be trusted with valuable eggs. Hens are usually steadier 
sitters than pullets. 

There are signs by which the novice may be able to tell whether 
the broody hen means business or not; steady laying for some time 
previous to clucking, remaining on the nest over night, holding 
possession of the nest against the attacks of the hens, screaming 
and drawing the head in with the erection of feathers on the head 
and neck, pecking one's hand when touching her, throwing straw 
towards her back, shuffling her legs to get a steady pressure for her 
feet, and when done give out a few notes of contentment and solici- 
tude, in the same key as when brooding the chickens at night after 
being disturbed. 

FEEDING. 

Feeding Chickens. — Next to warmth and proper brooding, 
which is so essential to young chicks after being hatched, is generous 
and judicious feeding. Remember that your brood came from 
warm tenements, living and breathing at 104° Fah., and now the 
atmosphere about them is perhaps thirty, forty, fifty or sixty degrees 
lower. This is wrong ; this is not proper care. Cold checks 
nutrition; the food absorbed when leaving the shell is not assimilated 
while suffering from such a rapid change of temperature. Many of 
the ailments common to chickenhood could be traced to this lowering 
of the temperature after being hatched, for there is a check on 
nutrition below 75'-^ Fah. 

The first week, hard boiled egg and stale wheat bread crumbs, 
or pulverized crackers, half and half, and before mixing them pour 



Management, Care and Feeding. 79 

scalded milk on the bread; drain off and mix with the egg and 
place it on a sheet of brown paper. A crumb may be put into a 
saucer of milk to attract their eye and learn them to drink by peck- 
ing at the crumb. Give them cracker and a little of the chopped 
egg; another time, a little egg and dry oatmeal, and scalded milk at 
all times. After a week dispense with the egg, but continue the 
bread crumbs and milk, johnny cake, dry oatmeal, broken wheat, 
millet seed, cottage cheese, cut onions, fine bits of boiled meat and 
such like, as would be suitable to their digestive organs. Some 
sharp sand in front of the coop, and some loose earth for scratching, 
will also be necessary after the first week. The food may be varied 
as they grow older, and coarser and cheaper food gradually sub- 
stituted until they can partake of the usual fare for adult fowls. 

Feeding the Adult Fowls. — "Variety is the spice of life," 
and the good effects of variety of food is apparent in the flock. 
There is altogether too much corn fed to fowls. Barley, oats, buck- 
wheat and wheat are much better for young and old birds than a 
regimen of corn. Corn is lacking in mineral and albumen com- 
ponents; it is too heating and drying to both blood and tissue. It 
is poor food for young chicks when mixed with cold water; when 
scalded and made friable, a mess once in a while will be in place, or 
if boiled to a pudding consistency and seasoned, it is good for 
young or old. 

Fowls should have plenty of coarse stuff with grain. Bran and 
middlings, barley meal, oats and corn ground, vegetables and roots, 
scraps of meat, slaughter house offal, especially blood, fresh clover, 
wheat and buckwheat for the laying hens; corn and corn meal pud- 
ding and other fat-producing food for market poultry. If the substance 
contains nitrogen, it is most fitted for the nourishment of tissue and 
is called plastic or nitrogenous; if it is deficient in nitrogen and has 
an excess of carbon or hydrogen, it appears to undergo combustion 
in the body, and is called hydrogenous, or respiratory element of 
food (hydro-carbon); if it is fatty in its nature, it performs the double 
duty of maintaining animal warmth and assisting in the assimilation 
of nitrogenous compounds, and if it is saline in its quality, it goes 
to build up the solid textures of the animal frame, and aids the 
important work of carrying new materials into the system, and old 
or effete matter out of it. 

Grain and green food in variety, will do a great deal towards 
giving a bountiful supply of eggs in mild seasons; but with 
the addition of animal food in moderate quantity, the number 



So Wyandottes. 

will be increased. The best way to supply fowls with whole- 
some food at little cost is to procure slaughter-house pieces, those 
which are coarse and bloody, which can be had for little or nothing. 
Chop them up fine, bones and all; put them in a boiler and fill with 
water; when thoroughly cooked, so the flesh will easily fall from the 
bones, then stir in some ground oats, corn and barley, or either in 
the form of meal alone, if the whole cannot be conveniently found 
at the mills or feed stores. Keep stirring and cooking till it becomes 
thick as mush; season with salt and pepper; pour the mess into 
pans or jars and put away in a cool place, if there is too much for a 
day's feed, while for present use it is more relished if fed agreeably 
warm to the fowls. This is an excellent mixture for young or old, 
for flesh or eggs, and besides being wholesome and nutritious, it is 
less expensive than grain. 



Housing Fowls. 



There is no necessity for elaborate and expensive houses for 
fowls, as they do not make the inmates any better. A palace or 
hovel is the same to the hens, and there is only one excuse for build- 
ing costly houses, and that is, a man of wealth, or fancier of means, 
who, having a handsome residence and pleasant surroundings, does 
not like to mar his home by putting up a cheap and common-looking 
hennery in their midst. Those who are well to do in the world's 
goods may satisfy their taste, but nothing more than a plain, com- 
modious and comfortable house is required for the majority engaged 
in poultry culture. 

The situation of a house has much to do with its health and 
comfort. It should be erected on the highest piece of ground con- 
venient, and if there is no choice, the site should be filled up with 
sand and loam so it would be eighteen inches or two feet above the 
outside, to prevent rain and dampness affecting the inside. One 
cannot lay down rules that will suit individual cases, and only in a 
general way can we suggest what to do. We prefer small houses 
and each one its own assigned run, and each run utilized with fruit 
trees, shrubbery, root crops or grain, to lessen the expense and rid 
it of its deleterious accumulations. One should plan before build- 
ing how to make double runs, so that the fowls could be readily 
changed from one to the other while the crops are growing and 
ripening. 

Every run should have enough of permanent grass and clover 
for the fowls. Each house or division of house large enough for a 
dozen hens. The fencing should be arranged on one set of runs, 
so it could be taken down and put up with ease. This can be done 
by the use of sections, say twelve feet long, and the use of hooks 
and staples to the posts. This would facilitate the ploughing or the 
making of temporary new runs. If breeding for market is the main 



82 Wyandottes. 

object, less fencing would be needed, as small flocks of one breed 
could run together at large, if the crops stand no danger of being 
injured by their having liberty. This and other points must be con- 
sidered by the breeder, and his own good sense will suggest what 
is best to do. 

We prefer fresh earth and road dust for floors and baths, in 
preference to wooden floors. The fowls will like it better and it is 
more natural and healthful. It should always be loose, and once or 
twice a week a close rake drawn through will gather the droppings, 
and the constant scratching will cover the fresh droppings and 
prevent the liberation of ammonia to a certain extent. The baths 
should be of dry road dust and placed where the sun shines on 
them. The perches for Wyandottes should not exceed three feet 
high, and they should be about three or four inches wide, beveled, 
or, in other words, rounding in the middle, with edges taken off so 
that the form will fit to the hollow of the feet when the claws have 
grasped the perch; two by four scantling, rounded off, make a solid 
perch. 

A good plan when putting up perches is to have them rest on 
half cups of cast iron, in which kerosene may every few weeks be put, 
to permeate through the pores of the wood, to keep lice and parasites 
away, and they should be on a level and far enough apart to prevent 
the fowls from pecking at each other from the perches. A feeding 
box for each small flock is a great saving, besides keeping the food 
clean and away from rats and mice. Oyster shells, ground bone, 
old mortar and slacked lime, charcoal or charred corn, sharp gravel 
and a water fountain, are indispensable in every house whether you 
are breeding high class or market fowls. 



PART SEVENTH. 



Diseases and Treatment. 



Cholera. — This disease is aptly called the "scourge of the 
poultry yard," and in truth it is the most rapid and fatal of the ills 
to which fowls are subject. A bird which becomes a prey to cholera 
is nerveless, staggers and carries its wings drooped; its feathers are 
ruffled, head drawn in, and it is overcome with intense drowsiness. 
The bird has no desire for food, drinks a great deal, a severe 
diarrhoea sets in from the beginning, the evacuations are thin, 
yellowish in color, and later, a mixture of sulphur color and green, 
quite frothy in appearance. Sometimes death follows in one day, 
and again the bird may live two or three days and perhaps longer. 

There has been no specific discovered for cholera, as the cause 
does not proceed from a disarrangement of the system, but is due 
directly to the presence of microbes, which are similar to the species 
which cause cholera in man and swine. Of course, when the system 
is impure, lowered in vitality and disarranged from one cause or 
another, it invites disease as it is favorable for those infinitesimal or 
microscopic animals, to attack both the blood and vital organs. 
Enteritis or inflammation of the bowels is often taken for cholera, 
but there is a congestion of blood about the head in cholera which 
turns the face, comb and wattles purple, which is unusual in 
enteritis. 

This disease calls for active and heroic treatment. The sick 
birds must be moved away from the flock. Give calomel and blue 
mass in two grain doses, or four grains of blue mass mixed with two 
grains each of gum camphor, cayenne pepper and rhubarb, divided 
into four parts — one to be taken every four hours. Another remedy 



84 Wyandottes, 

always handy and quite successful, is kerosene. Mix one teaspoon- 
ful of kerosene, a little butter, a pinch of red pepper, some garlic 
and enough of flour to make six pills; give one every two hours. 
If the garlic is inconvenient, do without it. Six drops of kerosene 
in a teaspoonful of scalded milk is excellent; or kerosene mixed 
with bread, meal or flour and made into boluses, one every hour or 
two, will serve the same purpose on a pinch. Six drops of carbolic 
acid in a teaspoonful of scalded milk is a good remedy; four drops 
of chlorodyne in a half teaspoonful of water every two hours is a 
splendid remedy. 

Roup. — This disease is common, and usually proceeds from a 
cold in the head, like catarrh, if not taken from another fowl. It 
shows from a running at the nostrils, watery eyes and difficult 
breathing. When first taken, five drops of the tincture of aconite 
in a teaspoonful of water twice a day will cure it. The aconite may 
be given on pieces of bread, but mixing with some liquid is better. 
Get one ounce of camphorated oil and put five or six drops of crude 
carbolic acid in it, and inject this mixture into the nostrils twice a 
day with a sewing machine oil can, or work it in with a feather hold- 
ing the head back at the same time, if you have no can. A solution 
of carbolic acid, say one of acid to thirty of water, injected in the 
same way, will answer. If the disease becomes severe and bad 
smelling, wash the face and nostrils with castile soap and warm 
water; press all the matter out of the nostrils and have ready at the 
same time, in a bottle, equal parts of sugar of lead, pulverized alum 
and enough of acetic acid to make the mixture about the thickness 
of cream; if the acid cannot be got handy, use the same amount of 
old cider vinegar in its place, be sure it is cider vinegar, but if the 
acetic acid is handy, use it. Now inject some of this mixture into 
the nostrils as above directed, but in the absence of a can, work it 
in with a feather, this will cure roup if applied properly. Do this 
twice a day in very bad cases, once a day in ordinary cases. It is 
the mucous membranes of the nostrils and orifice which are affected 
and these must be reached by injection or the use of a feather. 
Two ounces of this mixture will last some time for roup cases. Of 
course the sick birds must be separated from others and fed on soft 
food. Be sure to wash the face and nostrils clean once or twice a 
day, or the virus of the matter will poison the face and eyes and 
cause lumps and blindness. 

Diphtheria. — This is a malignant and infectious disease. The 
mouth and throat are filled with white viscous fluid, like thick saliva. 



Diseases and Treatment. 85 

with small white ulcers. Diphtheric roup is another form of this dis- 
ease, characterized by cheesy matter in the throat. Swab the mouth 
and throat with a mixture of sulphur and perchloride of iron; then 
paint with the following dressing: carbolic acid one drachm, sulphur- 
ous acid three drachms, tincture of perchloride of iron half an ounce, 
glycerine one-half ounce; dress all the places with this night and 
morning with a camel hair pencil. Another good remedy is paint- 
ing the affected spots with a mixture of tannic acid and glycerine, 
or boracic acid ointment. 

DiARRHCEA. — This is too well known to need description. The 
best remedy for this ailment is four drops of chlorodyne in a tea- 
spoonful of milk every four hours; less number of drops for a 
chicken. This medicine must not be given carelessly. When the 
ailment is not too severe, a milder remedy will be found in 
five grains of powdered chalk, five grains of rhubarb, and three 
grains of cayenne pepper, divided in four parts, each given every 
four hours; or in place of this give ten drops of laudanum in a tea- 
spoonful of water twice a day; less quantity for chickens; or a syrup 
of lactaphosphate of lime in half teaspoonful doses twice a day is 
beneficial. The chlorodyne is almost a specific for this disease; 
two drops for a small chicken and increasing to five for an adult 
bird, and must be given in a little water. 

Canker. — This disease is common to all fowls, but more 
especially to the Game. The canker should be washed with beef 
brine, a solution of saltpetre, alum, borax, warm vinegar and such 
like to destroy the pus. Painting with a mixture of carbolic acid 
glycerine, or boracic acid ointment, will usually cure it. Other good 
remedies are as follows: Wash clean till the scab comes off and 
apply a pinch of burnt alum, or touch it with nitrate of silver, or 
paint twice daily with perchloride of iron, and then apply the lunar 
caustic. 

Gapes, — This is a very troublesome ailment among chickens, 
and is caused by the presence of small worms of a cylindrical form, 
red in color and forked with two unequal branches, and three- 
fourths of an inch in length. There are many remedies, some quite 
simple and others tedious and complicated. A very successful 
remedy is to feed those which have the gapes with a warm mess of 
corn meal, moistened with milk or boiling water, and to each pint 
of meal add a teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine. Mix the turpen- 
tine with the meal while the meal is dry. If the chickens refuse to 
eat it, cram some down their throats; mix the turpentine fresh twice 



86 Wyandottes. 

a day. Dipping a feather in spirits of turpentine and twirling it in 
the bird's throat often cures. The use of a horse hair loop in the 
same way is beneficial. A gargle composed of carbolic acid one 
part, water ten parts, and salicylic acid one part; press the gullet 
of the fowl with thumb and finger so that the mixture will not pass 
through, then fill the mouth with the gargle and let it remain a 
moment, then pour it out; place the sick birds in a box and subject 
them to the fumes of carbolic acid. A mixture of equal parts of 
sweet oil and turpentine conveyed to the throat by the use of a 
feather, twisting it about a few times and then withdrawing, is 
good. A piece of indigo the size of a pea, with a pinch of black 
pepper, three times a day, is recommended. A pinch of air-slaked 
lime, blown down the throat, is good. A little kerosene, both inter- 
nally and externally, has proved valuable. Garlic and asafoetida, 
singly or combined, are splendid. A pill of gum camphor, or a few 
drops of a strong solution of camphor has been favorably used. 
Mix in soft food a pinch of fine tobacco, or a few drops of a solu- 
tion of tobacco, is also recommended. 

Scaly Legs. — Kerosene or a solution of carbolic acid rubbed 
under the scales with an old tooth brush will kill these microscopic 
parasites. An ointment of sulphur and lard applied daily will cure. 

Bumble Foot. — This ailment sometimes becomes a hard swell- 
ing like a corn, and again festers like a stone bruise or " frog felon," 
to use a homely phrase. When it settles to a hard corn, the skin 
must be pared as one would an ordinary corn, and when it is 
close enough to show blood without drawing it, use lunar caustic to 
kill the roots. When the lump swells and feels that it contains 
matter, wait until it ripens, then with a lance or very sharp knife, 
make two cuts in the form of a cross; squeeze out all the matter 
and syringe with a solution of carbolic acid, one of acid to thirty of 
water, once or twice a day; a feather will do in the absence of a 
syringe. When the pus has been squeezed out, touch the core twice 
a day with lunar caustic; keep the bird on chaff or cut straw until 
it heals, and while healing rub on some vaseline. In the beginning 
a corn may be scattered by painting the spot freely with tincture of 
iodine. 



Concluding Remarks. 



We have endeavored to give, in the preceding pages, as much 
information on Wyandottes as our space would allow. They are 
collectively a grand race and an honor to American skill. They are 
as near the breeder's ideal of the long wished for "coming fowl " as 
it seems possible to produce. With united efforts and a love for 
the work, they can be brought to a high state of excellence for the 
show-room and housekeeper, the cottager and farmer, and handsome 
and useful in a high degree. 

It is certain that Wyandottes brought up to a high standard in 
productiveness and table qualities, beautified in plumage, and kept 
up to their highest physical attainments, will cause thousands to take 
up their breeding for pleasure or profit, seeing in them every 
characteristic essential to a first class breed. Fanciers, too, will 
make a specialty of one or the whole family, and where there is one 
now breeding Wyandottes, there will be ten engaged in their 
culture at the dawn of 1900. Our faint attempts cannot do honor 
to American enterprise, genius and skill, nor do justice to the class 
of fowls which our fanciers have evolved and improved; but their 
work will live after them, and will be more enduring than monu- 
ments of granite. 



A. F. GE.ovz;s, 4=-^^--=<-^ 



■CHESTNUT HILL, PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

BREF.DER OF 



QOLDeN • WYftND0TTe§ 

i\J;\' birds arc of l(iri:;r size (tinJ hrii ut i ful Iv litcrd ; 

Intvr oraiig'r-j'rlloiu Irg's djul siiuill coinhs. 

EXggs, $3.00 for 13, 35. OO for 2©. 




Box 16, PatteRvSon, Nkw York. 



SILVKR, WtilTK AND GOLDKN 




Was awarded at Buffalo International Show, January, 18S9, on Silvers, Special 
Grand Gold Prize for two Highest Scoring Cocks, two Cockerels, two Hens and 
two Pullets; also ist, 2d, 3d and 4th on Pullets, and ist and 2d on Hens At New 
York Show, 1890, on Silvers, 1st and 3d on Pullet; 3d or equal score with 1st on 
Golden Wyandotte Pullet. I also breed 

Barred i YI^ Plymouth Rocks, 

and my record will not suffer in comparison with any other breeder in America. At 
New York Show, 1890. won on Barred, W. K. Vanderbilt's Grand Special Prize, 
$100.00 in Gold, for best Barred Plymouth Rock Cockerel and four best Pullets; 
1st and Special on Barred Plymouth Rock Cock; ist and Special on Barred Plym- 
outh Rock Hen. At same show, February, 1891, the largest show ever held, won 
2d and 5th on Barred Plymouth Rock Cock; ist and Special on Barred Plymouth 
Rock Hen; 1st, 2d and 4th on Barred Plymouth Rock Cockerel; ist, 2d and 4th on 
Barred Plymouth Rock Pullet; ist on Breeding- Pen; $25 in Gold for Best Display. 

I breed and sell birds and eggs from above stock. Large circular (free) Sat- 
isfaction guaranteed. 



Diseases and Treatment. 85 

with small white ulcers. Diphtheric roup is another form of this dis- 
ease, characterized by cheesy matter in the throat. Swab the mouth 
and throat with a mixture of sulphur and perchloride of iron; then 
paint with the following dressing: carbolic acid one drachm, sulphur- 
ous acid three drachms, tincture of perchloride of iron half an ounce, 
glycerine one-half ounce; dress all the places with this night and 
morning with a camel hair pencil. Another good remedy is paint- 
ing the affected spots with a mixture of tannic acid and glycerine, 
or boracic acid ointment. 

DiARRHCEA. — This is too well known to need description. The 
best remedy for this ailment is four drops of chlorodyne in a tea- 
spoonful of milk every four hours; less number of drops for a 
chicken. This medicine must not be given carelessly. When the 
ailment is not too severe, a milder remedy will be found in 
five grains of powdered chalk, five grains of rhubarb, and three 
grains of cayenne pepper, divided in four parts, each given every 
four hours; or in place of this give ten drops of laudanum in a tea- 
spoonful of water twice a day; less quantity for chickens; or a syrup 
of lactaphosphate of lime in half teaspoonful doses twice a day is 
beneficial. The chlorodyne is almost a specific for this disease; 
two drops for a small chicken and increasing to five for an adult 
bird, and must be given in a little water. 

Canker. — This disease is common to all fowls, but more 
especially to the Game. The canker should be washed with beef 
brine, a solution of saltpetre, alum, borax, warm vinegar and such 
like to destroy the pus. Painting with a mixture of carbolic acid 
glycerine, or boracic acid ointment, will usually cure it. Other good 
remedies are as follows: Wash clean till the scab comes off and 
apply a pinch of burnt alum, or touch it with nitrate of silver, or 
paint twice daily with perchloride of iron, and then apply the lunar 
caustic. 

Gapes. — This is a very troublesome ailment among chickens, 
and is caused by the presence of small worms of a cylindrical form, 
red in color and forked with two unequal branches, and three- 
fourths of an inch in length. There are many remedies, some quite 
simple and others tedious and complicated. A very successful 
remedy is to feed those which have the gapes with a warm mess of 
corn meal, moistened with milk or boiling water, and to each pint 
of meal add a teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine. Mix the turpen- 
tine with the meal while the meal is dry. If the chickens refuse to 
eat it, cram some down their throats; mix the turpentine fresh twice 



86 Wyandottes. 

a day. Dipping a feather in spirits of turpentine and twirling it in 
the bird's throat often cures. The use of a horse hair loop in the 
same way is beneficial. A gargle composed of carbolic acid one 
part, water ten parts, and salicylic acid one part; press the gullet 
of the fowl with thumb and finger so that the mixture will not pass 
through, then fill the mouth with the gargle and let it remain a 
moment, then pour it out; place the sick birds in a box and subject 
them to the fumes of carbolic acid. A mixture of equal parts of 
sweet oil and turpentine conveyed to the throat by the use of a 
feather, twisting it about a few times and then withdrawing, is 
good. A piece of indigo the size of a pea, with a pinch of black 
pepper, three times a day, is recommended. A pinch of air-slaked 
lime, blown down the throat, is good. A little kerosene, both inter- 
nally and externally, has proved valuable. Garlic and asafostida, 
singly or combined, are splendid. A pill of gum camphor, or a few 
drops of a strong solution of camphor has been favorably used. 
Mix in soft food a pinch of fine tobacco, or a few drops of a solu- 
tion of tobacco, is also recommended. 

Scaly Legs. — Kerosene or a solution of carbolic acid rubbed 
under the scales with an old tooth brush will kill these microscopic 
parasites. An ointment of sulphur and lard applied daily will cure. 
Bumble Foot. — This ailment sometimes becomes a hard swell- 
ing like a corn, and again festers like a stone bruise or " frog felon," 
to use a homely phrase. When it settles to a hard corn, the skin 
must be pared as one would an ordinary corn, and when it is 
close enough to show blood without drawing it, use lunar caustic to 
kill the roots. When the lump swells and feels that it contains 
matter, wait until it ripens, then with a lance or very sharp knife, 
make two cuts in the form of a cross; squeeze out all the matter 
and syringe with a solution of carbolic acid, one of acid to thirty of 
water, once or twice a day; a feather will do in the absence of a 
syringe. When the pus has been squeezed out, touch the core twice 
a day with lunar caustic; keep the bird on chaff or cut straw until 
it heals, and while healing rub on some vaseline. In the beginning 
a corn may be scattered by painting the spot freely with tincture of 
iodine. 



Concluding Remarks. 



We have endeavored to give, in the preceding pages, as much 
information on Wyandottes as our space would allow. They are 
collectively a grand race and an honor to American skill. They are 
as near the breeder's ideal of the long wished for " coming fowl " as 
it seems possible to produce. With united efforts and a love for 
the work, they can be brought to a high state of excellence for the 
show-room and housekeeper, the cottager and farmer, and handsome 
and useful in a high degree. 

It is certain that Wyandottes brought up to a high standard in 
productiveness and table qualities, beautified in plumage, and kept 
up to their highest physical attainments, will cause thousands to take 
up their breeding for pleasure or profit, seeing in them every 
characteristic essential to a first class breed. Fanciers, too, will 
make a specialty of one or the whole family, and where there is one 
now breeding Wyandottes, there will be ten engaged in their 
culture at the dawn of 1900. Our faint attempts cannot do honor 
to American enterprise, genius and skill, nor do justice to the class 
of fowls which our fanciers have evolved and improved; but their 
work will live after them, and will be more enduring than monu- 
ments of granite. 



A. F. g:ro\7'z:s, 



^ — ' — ^^^^' 



•CHESTNUT HILL, PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



BREEDER OF 



QOLOeN " WYftNDOTieS 



i><EoK:E:E:3sr STi?-jPLi3sr. 



I^Iy hird!^ arc of ht y^c size diid heaxoti j'ul ly l<tC(^<l ; 

Jiave orangc'-yelloiv /(',i;"s (tniJ siindl coiiih 

Elsss, 33.00 fox 13, 3S.OO foir ES. 




Box 16, Patterson, Nkw York. 



SILVKR, WHITK AND GOLDEN 




Was awarded at Buffalo International Show, January, 18S9, on Silvers, Special 
Grand Gold Prize for two Highest Scoring Cocks, two Cockerels, two Hens and 
two Pullets; also ist, 2d, 3d and 4th on Pullets, and ist and 2d on Hens At New 
York Show, 1890, on Silvers, 1st and 3d on Pullet; 3d or equal score with ist on 
Golden Wyandotte Pullet. I also breed 

Barred i Wffli Plymouth Rocks, 

and my record will not suffer in comparison with any other breeder in America. At 
New York Show, i8go. won on Barred, W. K. Vanderbilt's Grand Special Prize, 
$100.00 in Gold, for best Barred Plymouth Rock Cockerel and four best Pullets; 
1st and Special on Barred Plymouth Rock Cock; ist and Special on Barred Plym- 
outh Rock Hen. At same show, February, 1891, the largest show ever held, won 
2d and 5th on Barred Plymouth Rock Cock; island Special on Barred Plymouth 
Rock Hen; 1st, 2d and 4th on Barred Plymouth Rock Cockerel; ist, 2d and 4th on 
Barred Plymouth Rock Pullet; ist on Breeding-Pen; $25 in Gold for Best Display. 

I breed and sell birds and eggs from above stock. Large circular (free). Sat- 
isfaction guaranteed. 



:*!^ 

•7JV"- 



Mk 

•?i«« 









iMGlDBATaR. 




The above macliiiie is all we claim for it — always 
hatching the strongest chicks aud turuiug out the best 
percentage of eggs of any machine in the market. 

It is a nicely built, double-cased, durable machine, 
and calculated to last a lifetime. It is giving universal 
satisfaction everywhere. 

Fifty-page circular free. 



SoL4-tH !EIa.ston, !D<Ia.s3. 



JVEarsliairs Blacl^ V/yandottes. 

I orieinatecl tliem and bred them for several seasons 
without ail}' new blood ; for that reason I know them to 
be pure Wyandotte. They are large, true Wyandotte 
shape and great layers. I. K. Felch scored some for 
me as high as 96, and pronounced them very uniform 
and brilliant in plumage. My 

MM ^'' White p. \qg\^ ^^ Light Brahma^ 

Have stood the- test for years, winning many of the best 
prizes at Ciiiciuuaii, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, 
Toledo, Baltimore, etc., both in my own coops and those 
of my customers. 

1^" Send stamp for circular giving matings, prizes won; prices of eggs, etc 

F. J. MARSHALL, Middletown, Ohio. 




T^iLsoN's ^i mil® I® 

PATENT. "^ _/ {£) 



Send for Circulars and Testinonials to WILSON BROS., EASTON, PA. 

I pi\m E}^Glu?iVBl!j. 




BLYTHECOTE STRAIN. THOROUGHBRED. 

" THE BEST IS A'OATE TOO C700D f" 

Rlythecote birds have won high honors wherever exhibited. Plumage clear 
black and white ; extra good lacings, combs, hackles, wings, back, size and sym- 
metry. 

Won 1st on breeding-pen mated for best results at the late great New York 
show, held at Madison Square Garden. 

EGGS— Best pens, $4 per 13, $6 per 26 Choice pens, $3 per 13, I5 per 26. 

J. D. TOMPKINS, Brainard, N. Y. 



JOSEPH McKEEN, 



Omro, Winnebago Co., Wisconsin, U. S. A., 

ORIGINATOR OF 




* Ejolden ^ 
^ijandotste^. 

"I'he Beauty Breed." 



My strain is generally ac- 
knowledged to be the best 
in existence. Nearly all 
breeders that have made 
notable high records at poul- 
try shows have bought stock 
and eggs of me. 

A new ten page Golden 
Wyandotte pamphlet sent 
for stamps. 



FLORAL CITY POULTRY YARDS. 



BREEDERS OF PRUE-WINNING 



IBla.c3l<, C^olde^n, Sil-vre;i: a.n.d. "WHite; 

^ vyandgttes ^ 

ORIGINATORS WAGNER STRAIN OF BLACK WYANDOTTES. 



FRED. 0. WAGNER. 
WM. G. GUTMANN. 



Lock Box 14, MONROE, MICH. 




WALTHAM, 
MASS. 



^WHITe 



White Cloud Strain. 



"7rr° NATHAH E. SMITH, 

Eing Philip Strain. 1o 

At the GKKAT BOSTON SHOW, Kebriuuv, 1S90, mv Silver Wyaiulottes won ist on 
cock, ist and 3d on cockerels, ist on collection (2 males and 6 fern. lies), 3d, 4th and sth on pul- 
lets, 4th on hen and 5 specials. My Silver Wyandottes swept the Newton. Mass., poultry 
show, males scoring 93^4. Q.?/^> 9^\ females, 96, 95 Jit , 95, 92. A White \Vyandotte pullet bred 
by me scored 97. Also highest honors at Brockton, Worcester, Waltham and Woburn. 

Send for pedigree of my strain, dating back to their admission to the Standard of Excel- 
lence, and showing a long line of prize winners. 

I^i- CHOICE BREEDING AND EXHIBITION STOCK FOR SALE, at low prices 
considering quality. 

EGGS IN SEASON. Send for circular. 



I. K. Petctt K Son 



KTjPlTICPC, ]V[jPlSS., 



Bree 



ders 



'• -M WYANDOTTES, 



Bra-hinnas, La.ngshLa.ns, 

and LeglT^orn. Foa^^Is. 



(All Doi^.s eligible to the A. K. C. Stud Book,) 
AND OTHER STOCK SECOND TO NO OTHER BREEDER'S. 

Have shipped stock to every State and Territory, Germany, Sweden, En<;land and Aus- 
tralia, j^iving- entire satisfaction. Send stamp to 

Box 722, NATICK, MASS. 



--Ca 




^ White ^ 

' WYAWDOTTEg ! 



Winners of all First and 
Second Prizes (with scores of 
93 to 96 1-2) at Peoria and 
Indianapolis, 1890-91. 

Fine circular for stamp. 



^^^^z:Tr^Y.-:!^^ 



s« 1 ri 1 1 1 r II I it I n I III iS) 

and fill in / In I'^ti Si 1 l\ I \ 1 1 ) ,91" 



W. J. Owsley, 

Darlington, Indiana. 



WB GUARANTEE EVERY CAN FOR 

Dogs, Sheep, Horses, 

Swine and Poultry. 



eCoucentrated, a Half Pint 
makes Five to Fifty Gal- 
lons for the Honsehold, 
Stable and Farm. 



N 


I 

N 
ft 



Kills 

Vermin, \^ It sells on its 
Cures Skin and | ® merits. 
Hoof Diseases — 
All Animals. 
No Better Disinfectant. 
Price, 60 Cts. alHalf Pint. 



Non-Poisonous. Registered. 



Kills all Vermin ! 

Cures all Skiii Diseases I 

TRY IT AND YOU WILL USE NO OTHER. 



FERRIS PUBLISHING CO., Albany, N. Y., 

OR 



MEAKIN & HYDE, New York City. 



M 



iagara River Poultry Yards, 






TONftWf\NDf\, N. T. 




Golden Wyandottes, 

'' The Beauty Breed." 

Black Wyandottes, 

True sports — yellow-legged. 

White Wyandottes, 

Perfect ill type. 

Cornisli Indian Games, 

l»iported stock. 

Liolit Bralimas, 

^'^&i'iC^'^ .... The great prize-ivinners 

'r^ti "S^^'^^S^l Buff Cocliins, 









Beauti fill color — true shape. 



White Javas anu Red Caps. 



Gjiy^p. ji. £l(EI^LEy, Proprietor, I'onawanda, ][, y. 

SEND FOR FREE CATALOGUE. 
W. G. VAN OSTRAND, SUPERINTENDENT, GOWANDA, N.Y. 



U 



THE HANDY" SHIPPING COOP. 




DEAN MANUFACTURING CO. 



CHEAP! CONVENIENT! 

LIGHT! DURABLE! 

Prices per dozen, in Knock-Down, f. o. b. 
Ton.iwanda, N. Y. : 

i8 in. long', 20 in. liigli, 12 in. wide $1 .60 

21 " 20 " 12 " 1.7s 

" 20 " 12 " 1.90 

" 20 " 12 " 2.2g 

24 " 15 " 2.40 

2f " IS " 2.R0 

" 24 " 15 " 2.60 

24 " IS " 2. So 

J^gi" ,\iiy size made to order at proportion- 
ate prices. 

U.sed bv V. A. Sharp \- Co., E. B. Thomp- 
son, J. X. lloberts, ?\'iau;ara River Poultry 
Yards, etc. 

SEND FOR CIRCULAR. 

TONAWANDA, N. Y. 



VYANB0TTES 







E. E. POOLE, 

BREEDS A No. 1 STOCK. 

Commenced breeding in 
1884, and tny birds are 
better than ever before. 
They have a wide range, 
being raised on a farm, 
and are healthy, large, 
vigorous birds. If you 
7vant stock or eggs, send 
for prices, and I can give 
you satisfaction, as I knoiv 
?ny birds are as good as 
the best. 



ox THIS FARM THE FOLLOWING VARIETIES OF POULTRY ARE BRED: 

Buff Cochins ; White and Barred Plymouth Rocks ; White, Silver and 

Golden Wyandottes ; White and Brown Leghorns ; Pekin 

Bantams ; Erminettes, and Pekin Ducks. 



STOCK FOR SALE AT ALL TIMES. 



SEND- FOR CIRCULAR. 



E.. o. BXJFFinsrTOKr, 



:^o:5c: ev":?. 



F'jPs.LL P5.I\^Er3., 3XEJPS.SS. 



Aroa-d-ia- Foi^ltry Yards. 



HIGH-CLASS 




(Oris^inal McKeen Strain.) liggs, $3 00 for ie„ I5.00 for .50. 

! -I T -f 

(Frayn, A\'hitfield and Abljot.) Eggs, SS-oo for 13. 

W. H. NICHOLOY k SON, Proprietors, Newark, Wayne Co., N. Y. 





STANDARD WORKS ON 

poultry, pigeons, ©ogs and Rabbits. 

THE AMERICAN STANDARD OK PERFEC- 
TION, as Revised by the American Poultry Associ- 
ation, giving- ;i complete description of all the recog- 
nized varieties of fowls. 256 pages. Price, $1.00. 
With Poultry Monthlv one year for $1.75- 

RARRED AND WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCKS: 
Their History, Characteristics and Standard Points; 
How to Mate and Rear Them for Exhibition and 
Commercial Purposes; with a Chapter on Their Dis- 
eases and Treatment. By Joseph Wallace, Asso- 
ciate Editor of the Poultry Monthly; late Editor 
of the Natiotial Poultry Moiiiior and American Poul- 
try Journal. Price, 50 cents. With Poultry Month- 
ly' one year, $1.25. 

POULTRY CULTURE: How to Raise, Manage, 
Mate and Judge Thoroughbred Fowls. By I. K. 
Felch. 4.-5S pages. Illustrated. Price, postpaid, 
$1.50. With Poultry- Monthly- one year, $2.10. 

PHILOSOPHY OF JUDGING. A new book by 
Messrs. I. K. Felch and H. S. Babcock, and illus- 
trated by Mr. J. Henry' Lee Explains in lansaruage 
all can understand, the principles upon vvh'ch the 
scoring of fowls are founded. It is the most valuable 
contribution to poultry literature yet issued. Every- 
body needs it. Price, $100. With Poultry Month- 
ly- one year for $1.65 

PROFITS IN POULTRY: Useful and Ornamental 
Breeds and Their Profitable Management. Profuse- 
ly illustrated. Published bv O. Judd Co. 256 pages. 
Price, %\. With Poultry- Monthly one year, $1.50. 

THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER: A Com- 
plete and Standard Guide to the Management of 
Poultry, whether for Domestic Use, the Markets or 
Exhibition. By L. Wright, England. 252 pages. 
Price, $2. With Poultry Monthly one year, $2.50. 

THli PRACTICAL PKJEON KEEPER. By Lewis 
Wright, author of "The Illustntted Book of Poul- 
try," "The Practical Poultry Keeper," etc. Illus- 
trated. 232 pages. Price, 81.50. With Poultry- 
Monthly one year, $2. 

THE PRACTICAL RABBIT KEEPER. By Cu- 

niculus, assisted by several eminent fanciers. Illus- 
trated. 216 pages. Price, Si.^o. With Poultry- 
Monthly one year, $2. 

DOGS, THEIR MANAGEMENT AND TREAT- 
M1:NT in DISI-:ASE: a study of the Theory and 
Practice of Canine Medicine. By Ashmont. 204 
Images. The best book of the kind ever published, 
and authoritv the world over. Price, $2.00. With 
Poultry- Monthly- one year, $2.50. 

THE DOGS OF GREAT BRITAIN, AMERICA 
AND OTIIIiR COUNTRIES: Their Breeding, 
Training and Management in Health and Disease, 
comprising all the essential parts of the two standard 
works on the dog, liy Stoneiienge, together with 
chapters by American writers. New and enlarged 
edition, with over one hundred illustrations. 460 
pages. Price, $2. With Poultry- Monthly- one 
year, $2,150. 






FERRIS PUBLISHING CO., ALBANY, N. Y. 



IIXEFROVED 



EXCELSIOR 



^ ^ ^ 



^ m 

^ * 



I NCUBATOR. 



gimple, Perfect and gelf-I^egnlating. 




HUNDREDS I (M SUCCESSFUL OPERATION. 

Guaranteed to hatch larger percentage of fertile eggs at less 
cost than any other hatcher. 



Senti six cents for Illustrated Catalogue. Circulars free. 



(JEO. \, gTAHL, 



Patentee and 
Sole Manufacturer 



, IJuinc^, Illinois. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 841 076 1 




1 





LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 841 076 1 



METAL EDGE, INC. 2007 PH 7.5 TO 9 m I 



